Cotyledon minuta Komarov, Trudy Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 18: 436. 1901.

Rosette leaves crowded, oblong-lanceolate to spatulate, 1-1.5 × 0.2-0.3 cm; appendage white, suborbicular, cartilaginous, apical spine short. Stem leaves ovate-lanceolate, 10-15 × 1.2-3 mm, apical prickle white, cartilaginous, spinose. Flowering stem 2-6 cm. Inflorescence a spike or raceme, dense, cylindric, 1.5-4 cm; bracts purple spotted, oblong-lanceolate, 2-2.5 mm. Flowers subsessile. Sepals purple spotted, lanceolate to ovate, ca. 2 × 1-1.5 mm, apical prickle spinose. Petals red or reddish, purple spotted, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 4-4.5 mm, apex subacute. Stamens subequaling petals; anthers purple. Nectar scales subquadrangular, ca. 0.3 mm, ± thickened, apex emarginate. Carpels ovoid-lanceolate, tapered toward both ends, base shortly stipitate. Styles ca. 1 mm. Seeds minute. Fl. Aug-Oct.

House roofs. Heilongjiang, Liaoning [Korea].