Perennial, 20-35 cm, with usually solitary (rarely 2-3), simple stem, glabrous to sparsely pubescent below, densely pubescent above. Radical leaves obovate or narrowly so. Bracts lanceolate. Flowers solitary, nodding. Pedicel densely pubescent. Calyx 17-18 mm, broadly campanulate, inflated, glandular-pubescent, specially on the nerves; petal c. 10 mm, limb bilobed, apex with rounded teeth. Carpophore very short, pilose. Seeds subreniform, pusticulate.

Type: Described from the Altai, Bunge in 1839 (LE, iso. G!).

Distribution: Altai, Tarbagatai, Tien Shan, N.W. Himalaya.

The species, from the specimens studied appears to closely resemble S. gonosperma ssp. himalayensis, but differs in the larger calyx and pusticulate seeds. There is also some resemblance of this taxon to forms discussed (in notes) under S. gonosperma as S. duthiei.

Uncommon. Found in the N.W. Himalaya from 4000-4500 m.