Herbs, 10-15 cm tall. Lateral roots to 15 cm, with few fibrous roots. Rhizomes elongated, to more than 3 cm, 4-7 mm in diam. Stems 1-5, slightly longer than leaves. Basal leaves numerous; petiole stout, 4-10 cm, gradually expanding toward base to 8 mm wide; leaf blade broadly ovate, elliptic, or obovate, 3-4.5 cm, margin obtusely toothed. Stem leaves 2-4, ca. 2.5 cm. Spikes ovoid-globose to oblong, 2.5-6 cm; bracts ovate to obovate, shorter than corolla tube, margin serrate. Calyx membranous, transparent, apex of upper side shallowly lobed, margin praemorse, primary veins 2, not toothlike. Corolla white or purple, 1-1.2 cm; tube 2-3 X as long as limb, slightly bowed; lower lip nearly as long as upper, 2-lobed, ovate; upper lip unlobed, ovate-oblong, ca. 2 mm wide. Stamens less than 1 mm; anthers reniform. Disc large, obliquely cupular. Ovary ovoid. Style reaching mouth of corolla tube; stigma 2-lobed. Fl. Jun-Jul.

* Gravelly areas; 4600-4700 m. SW Xizang.