Multistemmed shrublet up to 200 mm high, with perennial rootstock; stems ± erect or spreading; most parts strongly and pleasantly herb-scented when crushed; plants very floriferous. Leaves alternate, occasionally opposite towards base of stems, spreading, greyish green; lamina elliptic to obovate, (5-)8-15(-25) x (3-)6-10(-15) mm, tapering towards base, apex ± obtuse, margin coarsely serrate to irregularly lobed, both surfaces with glandular-hispid hairs, ±0.3 mm long, and with evenly distributed, glistening glands, veins impressed above, raised below; petiole 1/4-1/3 total leaf length. Flowers solitary in upper leaf axils, terminal flowers being the youngest. Pedicels usually 10-20 mm long. Calyx divided almost to base; tube 0.5-1.0 mm long; lobes 5.5-8.0 x 0.8-1.5 mm, oblong, apex subacute to rounded, densely covered with glandular hairs ±0.3 mm long and with scattered glistening glands. Corolla: tube 12-18 x 0.8-1.2 mm, measured midway between base and limb, but ± cylindrical, abruptly expanding and geniculate near apex, with multicellular glandular hairs, 0.7-1.0 mm long, and scattered glistening cells; well-bearded on outside of expanded part; mouth rounded, limb nearly regular, 16.5-25.0 mm across lateral lobes; lobes spreading, broadly ovate, 8.2-11.5 x 8-11 mm, base cuneate, apex distinctly retuse, rarely ± rounded, outside with few glandular hairs and scattered glistening glands, especially towards base, inside glabrous; lobes medium-textured, brilliant scarlet above, dull whitish below, without a thin-textured, pale margin; throat 3-4 mm diam., bright yellow, with transverse, V-shaped band of hairs on inside not extending onto base of anterior lip. Stamens: posticous filaments ±0.7 mm long, posticous anthers ±0.8 mm long; anticous filaments ±1.2 mm long, anticous anthers ±1.2 mm long; all filaments distally slightly bearded with clavate hairs; anthers included. Ovary 2-3 x 0.8-1.5 mm, glabrous; style 10-15 mm long; stigma ±1 mm long, appearing simple, though minutely bifid, included; nectary not distinct, apparently comprising sterile basal 1/4 portion of ovary, no nectar secretion observed. Capsules 4-7 x 2-3 mm, slightly shorter, as long as, or just protruding from persistent calyx lobes, glabrous. Seeds ± elliptic to unevenly shaped, ±0.5 mm long, grey-brown; testa with polygonal cells clearly visible, arranged in ± longitudinal rows, outer periclinal walls collapsed inwards forming a shallow pit, radial walls smooth.
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