Shrubs 0.2--5 m tall. Branchlets subterete to 4-angled, densely stellate tomentose. Stipules suborbicular to cordate, 0.3--3 cm. Leaves petiolate, sessile, or connate-perfoliate, usually amplexicaul on vigorous shoots; petiole often winged, to 4 cm; leaf blade ovate to triangular or narrowly so, 1--20 X 0.5--8 cm, densely tomentose, often glabrescent especially adaxially, base mostly rounded to cordate, margin crenate, serrate, dentate, or shallowly lobed and then lower lobes often large, apex acuminate, acute, or obtuse, lateral veins 3--11 pairs. Inflorescences terminal, paniculate or spicate cymes, 1--20 X 1--15 cm; bracteoles several to many, almost linear, 0.4--2.5 cm. Calyx campanulate, 3--9 mm, outside densely stellate tomentose and with some glandular hairs, inside often glabrous; lobes ovate to triangular, 0.8--1.7 mm. Corolla lilac, violet, or purple, with an orange throat, 0.7--1.6 cm, outside densely to sparsely stellate tomentose and with glandular hairs or entirely glabrous, inside with a pilose belt, tube 6--12 X 1--2 mm; lobes suborbicular, 1.2--4 X 1.2--4 mm. Stamens inserted slightly above or at middle of corolla tube; anthers sessile. Pistil 3--5 mm. Ovary ovoid, 1.2--2 mm, stellate tomentose. Style 1.5--2.5 mm, base stellate tomentose; stigma clavate. Capsules ellipsoid, 5--6 X 2--3 mm, stellate tomentose. Seeds ovate-oblong, ca. 1 mm, unwinged. Fl. Feb-Aug.
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