Perennial, glabrescent, suffruticose, (2-)20-45 cm tall. Stems many from base. Lower leaves smaller, obovate or oblong; upper leaves linear or linear-lanceolate, acute-acuminate, 6-19 mm long, 0.5-3 mm broad, recurved. Racemes terminal, lax, 20-30 mm long. Bracts deciduous. Sepals persistent, glabrous; outer sepals unequal, narrowly hyaline margined; inner sepals obovate, 4-4.5 mm long, 3-3.5 mm broad, slightly oblique, enlarged in fruit, 3-nerved, veinlets anastomosing. Lateral petals much shorter than keel; keel 4 mm long, crest large. Capsule obovate, emarginate, 3-4 mm long, 2-2.5 mm broad, wing 0.5 mm. Seed oblong, pilose, strophiole 3-lobed, 2-appendiculate, appendages minute.

Fl. Per.: March-Sept.

Type: Described from Simen Province in Ethiopia from Henry Salt’s Collection.

Distribution: Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Himalayas: from Murree to Kumaon.

Very common throughout the country, usually in dry rocky places, up to 2500 m alt. s.m.