Annual with ± sturdy erect stems usually branching from base, 5-30 cm with very short adpressed retrorse hairs. Leaves few, variable in shape, ovate to elliptic up to 20 x 15 mm, serrulate to serrate, truncate to cuneate, with short eglandular hairs; petiole to 15 mm on lower leaves, much less on canline leaves. Inflorescence of few to numerous separated congested verticil-lasters subtended by bract-like upper leaves. Bracts numerous, linear-subulate, thick ± rigid, prominently veined, recurved, spinescent. Flowers almost sessile. Calyx straight, 5-7 mm, with short eglandular hairs and sessile glands; teeth subequal, 1/2 length to as long as calyx tube, narrow linear-lanceolate, subulate; throat with vitlous hairs. Corolla pale blue to whitish, 7-10 mm; tube slender ± equal to length of calyx; lips very short c. 1-1.5 mm. Nutlets c. 15 x 1 mm, pale brown, shiny, smooth with a small lateral attachment scar.

Fl. Per.: May-June.

Type: [USSR Kazakhstan] Montes Arkaul, ann. 1833, Bunge (LE - n.v.).

Distribution: Iran, Turcomania, Afghanistan, Soviet Central Asia, Pakistan.

A distinctive annual on account of the very short indumentum, the straight calyx and the hard spiny recurved bracts. Possibly more widespread than the two collections would imply.