Shrublets scandent. Branches slender, appressed puberulous. Leaves alternate, simple; petiole 2.5--6 cm; leaf blade ovate, cordate, or pentagonal, 3--7 × 3--7.5 cm, papery, abaxially densely puberulous to velutinous, adaxially densely appressed puberulous, base cordate, margin denticulate, apex acute to short acuminate; basal veins abaxially ± prominent. Cymes axillary, 1--3-flowered; peduncle 3.4--7 cm, puberulous; bracts short petiolate, ovate to broadly rhombic, 1--1.8 cm, 3-lobed. Flowers campanulate, nodding, 1.5--2 cm in diam. Pedicel 2.5--3.8 cm, densely puberulous. Sepals 4, red, erect, ovate-oblong, 1.8--2.2 × 0.6--1.2 cm, abaxially densely appressed puberulous, adaxially sparsely puberulous, apex ± obtuse. Stamens 1.5--2 cm; filaments pubescent; anthers linear to narrowly oblong, ca. 4 mm, glabrous, apex obtuse. Ovaries pubescent. Style ca. 1.3 cm, densely villous. Fl. Jul, fr. Aug.
Forest margins and shrubberies, often amongst Pinus, Picea and Larix species; at elevations from 2,200-2,500 metres.
Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.