An evergreen small tree, up to 10 m tall. Leaves clustered at the ends of branches, leathery, 5-15 cm long, lanceolate to oblong, dorsal surface glabrous, ventral covered with silvery scales. Flowers in dense terminal clusters; pedicels woolly; bracts ovate, covered with dense appressed silky hairs. Sepals ovate, c. 3 mm long. Corolla crimson, campanulate, up to 6 cm long. Stamens 10. Ovary 7-9-locular, densely woolly. Capsule cylindrical, woolly, 1-2.5 cm long. seeds numerous, oblong to ellipsoid, 1.2-3 mm long.

Type: Described from the Himalayas.

Fl. Per. Early spring.

Distribution: Uncommon in West Pakistan; throughout the Himalayas at 1500 to 2500 m and Karen Hills in Burma.