Herbs biennial or rarely perennial, 40-80(-110) cm tall, pubescent with simple and forked trichomes. Stems erect, simple basally, often branched above, eglandular and often glabrous distally. Basal leaves withered by flowering. Middle and upper cauline leaves narrowly oblong, lanceolate, or broadly ovate, (2-)4-15(-20) × (0.4-)0.8-4(-6) cm, shortly petiolate, pubescent with simple and forked trichomes, base cuneate, margin denticulate or entire, apex acute or acuminate. Fruiting pedicels divaricate or ascending, (0.5-)0.7-1.7(-2.5) cm, eglandular. Sepals narrowly oblong, 5-8 × 1.5-2 mm. Petals deep purple, lavender, or white, obovate, (1.1-)1.5-2(-2.2) cm × 3.5-9 mm, apex rounded; claw 6-12 mm. Filaments 2.5-6 mm; anthers linear, 2.5-4 mm. Fruit terete, (4-)6-10(-14) cm × 2-2.5 mm; valves glabrous, constricted between seeds. Seeds oblong, (2.5-)3-4 × 1-1.5 mm. Fl. and fr. May-Sep. 2n = 24.

Xinjiang [native to Europe and SW Asia; cultivated and naturalized elsewhere].