Shrub 0.6-1.2 m tall, spreading. Stems arching; branches 2-4-lined and flattened at first, soon 2-lined to terete. Leaves with petiole 1-2 mm long; lamina 10-60 mm long. 5-35 mm broad, ovate to lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, apex acute or apiculate to rounded, base cuneate to rounded, venation laxly or scarcely reticulate. Inflorescence of 1-many-flowered subcorymbose cymes; flowers 1.5-3.5 cm in diameter. Sepals 4-12 mm long, linear to narrowly oblong-lanceolate, .10-18 mm long, 1.2 x longer than the stamens. Stamens c. 20 in each fascicle. Ovary 3.5-5 mm long; styles 1.5-2 x longer than the ovary, free, gradually divergent, spreading at apex. Capsule 7-10 mm long, subglobose, without vittae or vescicles. Seeds 0.9-1 mm long, apiculate, carinate; testa laxly reticulate.

Fl. Per.: August-September.

Type: India; E. Kumaon, Blinkworth (K, lectotype! BM!) ; Sirmore, Govan (K!).

Distribution: West Pakistan to Nepal.

Common on rocks and cliffs in Hazara, Swat, and Dir in West Pakistan, 1500-2400 m.