Annuals 15-60 cm tall. Roots yellow, stout. Stems erect, 2-5 mm in diam., subquadrangular, narrowly winged on angles, branched from base so whole plant is pyramidal. Leaves sessile, narrowly lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 0.8-3.5 cm × 3-10 mm, base cordate and subamplexicaul, apex obtuse, midvein distinct. Inflorescences many-flowered panicles formed by whole plant. Flowers 4merous. Pedicel erect, to 5 cm, subquadrangular. Calyx tube 1-1.5 mm; lobes linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, 4-7 mm, apex acute, veins 3. Corolla 0.8-1.3 cm in diam., tube 1-1.5 mm; lobes lanceolate, 7-9 mm, apex acuminate and apiculate. Nectaries 2 per corolla lobe, radially elongated, with a narrow scale and raised margin with many long fimbriae. Filaments 6-8 mm; anthers ellipsoid, ca. 0.8 mm. Style indistinct; stigma lobes capitate. Capsules ovoid-ellipsoid, 0.8-1.4 cm. Seeds dark brown, ellipsoid to subglobose, 0.8-1 mm; seed coat reticulate. Fl. and fr. Jul-Oct.

* 1900-3800 m. SW Qinghai, NW Sichuan, E Xizang, Yunnan (Dêqên Xian)