Slender shrub, (0.5-)1-2(-3) m. Branchlets terete below, somewhat obtusely angular towards the tips, glabrous but with some scattered sessile glands. Leaves ovate, apex gradually acuminate, subacute, the terminal gland distinct, base manifestly cordate, subcoriaceous to coriaceous, dark green above, pale beneath, glabrous and a little shining on both faces, scantily punctate beneath, obtusely serrate, the teeth 0.5-0.75 mm high, 2-4 mm spaced, ending in very early caducous short bristles, (4-)5-8 by 2.5-4.5(-5.5) cm, midrib and nerves yellowish in fresh specimens, midrib prominent beneath only, nerves c. 5 pairs, the lower 2 from the base, all curved-ascending and anastomosing, somewhat raised on both faces, reticulation coarse, slightly prominent on both sides; petiole 3-5 mm. Racemes from the upper 3-4 axils of very reduced leaves, forming a terminal, few-to many-branched panicle 6-12(-15) cm long, other shorter racemes in the axils of subsequent lower normal 2-3 leaves also present, practically eperulate at anthesis; rachises slender, rather densely clothed with short greyish, ± crisped hairs, (3-)5-10 cm, few-to many-flowered. Pedicels rather slender, 4-6 mm. Bract ovate-subulate, 3 mm. Bracteoles inserted immediately below the calyx at anthesis, a little distant from the calyx in fruit, ovate-acuminate, ciliate, 1.5 mm. Calyx greenish, deeply 5-partite, lobes deltoid, subacute, ciliate, 2 mm. Corolla urceolate-cy-lindric, 5.5 by 2.5 mm, pure white, or more rarely cream with pink spots, glabrous, shortly (1 mm) 5-lobed. Filaments papillose, c. 2 mm; anther-cells ovate-elliptic, nearly 2 mm including the tubules, the latter short, each ending in 2 hornlets or bristles (1 mm). Ovary densely pubescent; style glabrous, c. 3 mm. Fruit pubescent on top, 5-6 mm ø, finally purplish blackish.
In open ridge scrub, on landslide with fern regrowth, edge of (mossy) forest, steep rocky slope, at 1900-2000 m. Fl. fr. July, Oct.-Jan.
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