Sub-shrub up to 1 m tall. Branches erect and prostrate, the latter with adventitious roots. Leaves elliptic-oblong to lanceolate, 3-8.5 cm long, 0.8-3 cm broad, mucronate, entire to minutely serrate, 1-nerved; base attenuate; petiole 0.5-1 cm long. Flowers yellow, c. 3 cm across. Sepals free, c. 12 mm long, oblong-lanceolate, persistent. Petals free, 2. 5-3 cm long, obovate. Glands 2-3, adnate to the base of the staminal tube. Stamens 5, persistent; filaments 7-I1 mm long; anthers c. 2 mm long; staminodes 5, alternating with the stamens. Ovary 1.5-2 mm long; styles connate at the base, heterostylous, 5-11 mm long; stigma capitate. Capsule globose, 8-10 mm long, splitting into 6-8 1 seeded cocci; seeds 5-6 mm long, reniform, compressed.

Fl. Per. Feb.-May.

Type: Roxb. l.c. fined. 1648 (K).

Distribution: N. W. Himalaya.

A native of the hilly regions, up to 2300 m. alt. s.m. It has pretty yellow flowers, which bloom in early spring. It is sometimes grown in gardens.