Rhizomes oblique, 5-10 mm in diam. Stems 15-26 cm, unbranched, densely retrorse pubescent, glabrescent basally. Petiole of basal leaves 2.5-6 cm, sparsely spreading villous; leaf blade oblong-elliptic, rarely ovate, 1.8-4.8 × 1.4-3.6 cm, base cordate, margin crenate, apex obtuse; petioles of mid cauline leaves sheathlike, 4-7 cm; leaf blade broadly ovate, 2.2-3.2 cm, sparsely appressed pubescent, base cordate to broadly cuneate, margin crenate-serrate or sometimes serrate. Verticillasters in terminal capitula; floral leaves coarsely dentate; bracts narrowly lanceolate to obovate, ca. 1.5 × 1.2 cm, margin silky ciliate, 1-4-serrate, apex acute-acuminate to spinescent, spines 2-3 mm. Calyx purplish at apex, 1.5-2 cm, villous, golden glandular, 2-lipped to ca. 1/2 its length; upper lip middle tooth semioblong, ca. 1.5 × as wide as lateral teeth, apex obtuse, with spines ca. 0.5 mm; lateral teeth of upper lip lanceolate, apex acute; lower lip 2-toothed to lip base, teeth similar to lateral teeth of upper lip but narrower. Corolla blue, 3-4 × 1-1.2 cm, villous outside; lower lip wide, base dark maculate, white villous. Fl. Jul-Aug.