Rhizomes 5-10 mm in diam. Stems 15-30 cm, sparsely retrorse pubescent, densely so at apex. Mid cauline leaves pinnatisect to pinnately lobed; blade ovate to lanceolate, 1.5-2.5 × 0.7-1.2 cm, papery when dry, sparsely pubescent along veins, base cuneate, apex obtuse; segments in 1-4 pairs, linear, 4-8 mm, terminal lobe 10-14 × ca. 1.5 mm, entire to few lobed. Verticillasters 2-4-flowered, in 2-5 upper stem nodes; bracts obovate-elliptic or lanceolate, 4-8 mm, pubescent, ciliate, base cuneate, margin 2-4-serrulate per side, teeth apex with a spine 1-2 mm. Calyx 1.4-1.7 cm, pubescent, ciliate, golden glandular, 2-lipped to 1/2 its length; upper lip teeth divisions 1/4-1/3 its length, teeth broadly ovate, subequal, apex spinescent, with spines ca. 0.8 mm; teeth of lower lip broadly lanceolate, apex spinescent. Corolla blue-purple, 3-3.8 cm, pubescent. Fl. Aug-Sep.