Shrubs prostrate or erect, 30–100 cm tall; bark exfoliating. Twigs rufous, densely hirsute. Leaves scattered; petiole 4–6 mm, hirsute; leaf blade elliptic to lanceolate, 3–11 × 1–4 cm, leathery, abaxially punctate, ± hirsute, adaxially glabrous, secondary veins (3 or)4(–7) pairs, secondary and fine veins raised abaxially, slightly impressed adaxially, base obtuse-rounded or attenuate, margin serrate-mucronate, apex abruptly acute. Inflorescences terminal and axillary, racemose, 1.5–5 cm, pubescent; bracts orbicular-ovate or ovate, 5–7 mm, abaxially glabrous, ciliolate, adaxially puberulous. Pedicel 3–4 mm, glabrous; bracteoles 2, subapical to median, similar to bracts but smaller. Calyx glabrous; lobes triangular-ovate, ca. 1.5 mm, margin ciliate. Corolla pink or white, urceolate-globose, 4–5 mm, abaxially glabrous; lobes very short. Filaments dilated towards base, puberulous, ca. 1 mm; anthers ca. 1 mm; thecae 2-awned. Ovary puberulous. Calyx at fruiting blue-black, fleshy; capsule sericeous-puberulous. Fl. May–Jun, fr. Jul–Aug. 2n = ca. 44.

Forests, forest margins, thickets on mountain slopes, Rhododendron thickets, open slopes, mountain summits; 1000–3000(–3800) m. SW Guizhou, S Sichuan, SE Xizang, N and SE Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sikkim].