Branched shrub or subshrub, 40-50 cm high. Branches divaricate, the upper spinescent. Spines alternate and horizontal (probably representing branches). Branches and spines densely sericeous pilose. Leaves 1-5 at a node, appressed pilose, sessile, 10-35 x 2-4 mm, linear oblanceolate, gradually tapering at the base, apex acute. Bracts c. 10 mm long, bracteoles small, linear. Flower 1, the pedicel flanked with spines in the axils of bracteoles, pedicel short, recurved, hairy, ,with some spreading hairs. Sepals 8-10 mm long, convex basally, hirsute (hairs spreading), the outer oblong or obovate, acute, inner ovate or broadly ovate, mucronate, with both halves membranous and glabrous. Corolla pink, c. 20 mm long, densely hairy plaited on the folds outside, the tube glabrous. Stamens unequal. Ovary hairy, tapering at the top, on a cup-shaped disc, style hairy. Capsule 7 x 5 mm, hairy above, seeds 1-4, 3 mm long, brown, puberulous.

Fl. Per.: May-June. Fr. Per.: July.

Type: USSR, in a sandy hill nr. Irtysh, Pallas s.n. (BM).

Baluchistan: Surab, 1900 m, Hotson s.n., Mc Cann 328 (fide R.R. Stewart l.c.).

Distribution: Iran, Turkmenia, Uzbekistan to S. Siberia, W. China, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

According to Sa’ad, l.c. 16, the flowers are in 3-flowered cymes, 2 of which are suppressed, and the peduncles are replaced by a pair of spines, in the axils of bracteoles.

A compact, almost cushion-shaped plant, grows in xerophytic habitat, in gravely, sandy soils on plains and mountains from 1400-2000 m.