Stem 28--70(--85) cm tall, retrorsely puberulent, usually simple. Leaf blade 8--15 cm wide, base cordate; primary lobes separate for at least 90% of blade radius; central lobe rhombic, 3-parted, distally 1--3 × dissected or lobed, apex acute; ultimate lobules triangular to lanceolate-linear; proximal leaves not withered. Raceme 10--30 cm, 5--17-flowered; rachis densely retrorsely or spreading puberulent, often mixed with a few yellow, glandular hairs; bracts lanceolate. Pedicels 2--6 cm; bracteoles distal, blue, lanceolate, 5--11 mm. Sepals blue-purple, abaxially puberulent; spur subulate, 1.9--2.7 cm, straight or slightly to strongly recurved, base 2.5--3.5 mm in diam.; other sepals 1--1.6 cm. Petals undivided, glabrous. Staminode limb ovate, 4--5 mm, 2-lobed, yellow (rarely to white) barbate. Filaments pilose or glabrous. Carpels 3; ovaries sparsely puberulent. Fl. Aug--Sep.