Shrubs, deciduous, to 3-4 m tall. Branches with solid pith. Winter buds with several pairs of acute scales. Petiole 3-6 mm; leaf blade ovate to lanceolate, 5-11 × 1.5-3.5 cm, abaxially often densely white villous at base of midvein, occasionally with scattered dark purple glands at base, base rounded to cuneate, margin with short stiff hairs, apex long acuminate. Inflorescences axillary, paired flowers; peduncles 4-8 mm; bracts subulate, subequaling or exceeding ovaries; bracteoles fused, cupular, surrounding 2 neighboring free ovaries. Calyx forming a collarlike emergence at base; lobes triangular or lanceolate, glandular ciliate, apex obtuse to acute. Corolla bilabiate, white, pink, or purple-red, 8-12 mm, both sides with short hairs; tube slightly shorter than lobes, deeply gibbous at base. Stamens exserted; filaments sometimes hairy at base. Style shorter than stamens, stiffly hairy throughout. Cupule not accrescent; berries purple-red or white, 4-5 mm in diam., 1-or 2(-4)-seeded; seeds smooth. Fl. May, fr. Aug-Sep.
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