Biennial or perennial; stems usually simple, rarely branched from the middle, 15-30 (-40) cm tall, brownish when dried, ± pilose with minute whitish hairs. Scales and bracts 6-11 mm long; bracts shorter than the calyx; bracteoles narrow, linear-filiform, c. as long as the calyx and ± adnate to the calyx tube, free above. Calyx 7-12 mm long, segments longer than the tube, narrow linearfiliform, about half as long as the corolla. Corolla erect to slightly curved, 15-20 mm long, tubulose-infundibuliform; limb pale brownish (when dried) or bluish (?), lobes obtuse, tube inflated below the middle or at the insertion point of stamens. Stamen inserted below the middle of corolla tube, subglabrous; anthers slightly pilose along the suture. Style curved at the tip with bilobed, yellowish or brownish stigma. Capsule 6-7 mm long ovoid-oblong.

Type: N.W. Himalayas, Yannu and Banahal, 1700-2300 m, Hooker f. & Thomson (W).

Distribution: N.W. Himalayas, Pakistan, Pamir-Alai, Iran and Caucasus.

Very similar to Orobanche oxyloba (Reut.) G. Beck, but bracteoles adnate to calyx-tube and corolla lobes obtuse. However, in the 2 gatherings cited above, some flowers have bracteoles only slightly adnate to calyx-tube. The 2 species, therefore, need careful study with adequate material, preferably in a fresh condition. The spikes seem to elongate later but remain short in early stages.

R.R. Stewart (l.c.) cites Stocks 1087 under this species. The same gathering has been included under Orobanche lavandulacea Reichenb. by Boissier (l.c. 497) (See note under doubtful species).