Small fragrant annual, 5-25 cm. Stems slender, branched or not almost glabrous or with tomentose white eglandular hairs. Leaves ovate-elliptic, c. 2 x 1 cm, crenulate, cuneate, acute, with a sparse short eglandular indumentum, densely gland-dotted abaxially; petiole c. 1 cm. Inflorescence of lateral and terminal, 1.5-3 x 0.8 cm, tightly condensed spikes, sometimes solitary. Bracts very broad, ovate-circular, truncate-rounded with or without a short mucro, surrounding inflorescence axis, ± membranous, tightly imbricate. Flowers almost hidden by bracts. Calyx 1.5-2 mm with narrow triangular teeth. Corolla c. 3.5 mm purplish. Nutlets not seen.

Fl. Per.: May-October.

Type: Nepal [Wallich Cat. 1562]: Wallich ann. 1821 (E); Gossain Than.

Distribution: Kashmir, NW India, Himalayas to China, Tibet.

Easily recognized by the very broad imbricate bracts, concealing the calyces, and condensed spikes. Variable in habit. According to Kaul (l.c.), it is an uncommon field weed in Kashmir.