Tupistra fimbriata Handel-Mazzetti, Anz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, Math.-Naturwiss. Kl. 59: 253. 1922; T. fimbriata var. breviloba H. Li & J. L. Huang.

Rhizome yellow-brown or green, terete, 0.6--1.5 cm thick; nodes dense. Leaves 3--6(--8), basal, nearly distichous equitant; petiole usually distinct, 3--5 cm; leaf blade linear-lanceolate or oblanceolate, 30--65 × 3.5--6.5 cm, margin crisped. Spike 2--6 × 1--1.8 cm, densely many flowered; peduncle 6--15(--25) cm; fertile bracts pale green or pale brown, membranous, margin white, fimbriate. Perianth campanulate, 6--8 mm; tube 3--6 mm; lobes green, broadly ovate, 2--3 × 3--3.5 mm, fleshy, margin white, membranous, irregularly dentate or fimbriate. Filaments with suberect free part 2--3 mm. Ovary ovoid-globose, ca. 2 mm in diam. Style 1--3.5 mm; stigma 3-lobed. Fl. Apr--May. 2 n = 38*.

Dense forests, broad-leaved forests along ravines, shady rocky slopes; 1200--2900 m. S Xizang, NW Yunnan [India, Nepal].