Straggling perennial to 2.5 m. in height, though usually less; stems generally well branched, sparsely to densely pilose in the upper part but becoming glabrescent below.. Leaves in verticils of 2–4, rarely alternate, but then always with some whorled leaves on the same branch; petiole (0.8–)2–7.5 cm. long, pilose; lamina ovate or oblong, more rarely lanceolate, 2.6–10(–12) cm. long, 1.6–5.5(–6) cm. broad, apex acute or shortly acuminate, base ± rounded or shortly cuneate, sparsely to densely pilose above and below; lateral veins 7–10 pairs; margin crenulate or serrulate.. Inflorescence a (1–)2–5-flowered subumbellate raceme; flowers orange-scarlet.. Peduncle 0.8–2.5 cm., ± upright, pilose.. Bracts ovate or oblong, 4–10 mm. long, 2–4 mm. broad, acuminate, pilose.. Pedicels 12–38 mm. long, slender, pilose.. Lateral sepals oblong, 8–10 mm. long, 4.5–7 mm. broad, acuminate, pilose.. Lower sepal narrowly bucciniform, 14–16 mm. long, gradually tapering into an incurved spur, 22–35 mm. in length overall, tip rounded, sparsely pilose.. Dorsal petal 8–13 mm. long, 4–6 mm. broad (not flattened), cucullate, dorsally with a narrow pilose crest terminating in a short acute point.. Lateral united petals 11–17 mm. long, upper and lower petals almost equal in size; upper petal transversely oblong or elliptic, 10 mm. long and 3.5 mm. broad, shortly apiculate; lower petal oblong, 8–11 mm. long, 4–6 mm. broad.. Ovary glabrous.. Fruit fusiform, ± 14 mm. long, 5 mm. broad.. Fig. 4/54, p. 8.
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