Saxifraga purpurascens J. D. Hooker & Thomson, J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 2: 61. 1858; Bergenia delavayi (Franchet) Engler; B. purpurascens f. delavayi (Franchet) Handel-Mazzetti; B. purpurascens var. delavayi (Franchet) Engler & Irmscher; B. purpurascens var. macrantha (Franchet) Diels; S. delavayi Franchet; S. purpurascens var. macrantha Franchet.

Herbs perennial, 13-50 cm tall. Rhizomes thick, scaly. Leaves all basal; petiole 2-7 cm, sheathing base glabrous at margin; leaf blade obovate or narrowly so to subelliptic, rarely broadly obovate to suboblong, 5.5-16 × 3-9 cm, leathery, both surfaces glabrous and glandular pitted, base cuneate, margin sinuate-dentate to entire, apex obtuse. Inflorescence cymose, 3-23 cm; branches and pedicels densely long glandular hairy. Hypanthium densely long glandular hairy. Sepals narrowly ovate, 6.5-7 × 2-4 mm, leathery, abaxially densely long glandular hairy, margin glabrous, apex obtuse. Petals purple, broadly ovate, 1-1.7 cm × 7-7.8 mm, veins many, base narrowed into a claw 2-2.5 mm, apex obtuse or retuse. Stamens 6-11 mm. Ovary ovoid, 6.7-7.5 mm; styles 2, 5.3-7.5 mm. Fl. May-Oct. 2n = 34.

This species is used medicinally and is a source of the drug bergenin.

Forests, scrub, alpine meadows, alpine rock crevices; 2700-4800 m. SW Sichuan, E and S Xizang, N Yunnan [N Bhutan, NE India, N Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim].