Statice otolepis Schrenk, Bull. Cl. Phys.-Math. Acad. Sci. Saint-Petersbourg 1: 362. 1843.

Herbs, perennial, 30--90(--120) cm tall. Rhizomes dark red-brown, usually apical part erect, apically becoming a thickened caudex. Leaves basal and on peduncle and rachis, withered by anthesis; leaf blade 3--6(--8) X 1--2(--3) cm including petiole; basal leaves with narrow petiole, leaf blade obovate-spatulate, base attenuate, apex obtuse to rounded; other leaves sessile, broadly ovate to reniform, base clasping, leaving ringlike scars after abscissing. Inflorescences solitary or several from different leaf rosettes; rachis 4--7 X branched; basal branches sterile; branchlets slender, numerous; spikes arranged along apical part and terminal on slender branches, with 2--5(--7) spikelets; spikelets 1(or 2)-flowered; bracts broadly ovate, ca. 1 mm, membranous except base; first bractlet ca. 2 mm. Calyx obconical, 2.2--2.5 mm; tube glabrous or slightly pubescent along one side; limb white. Corolla pale blue-purple. Fl. Jun-Jul, fr. Jul-Aug.

Saline soil; 300--1400 m. Gansu, N Xinjiang [N Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan].