Herbs perennial. Roots equal in thickness, fusiform thickened in middle with tubers to 5 mm in diam., densely white lanate. Rhizomes absent. Stems 1 to several, arising from rosette, scapiform, 10--35 cm × 1.5--2 mm, glabrous or rather densely hirsute, usually with 1 or 2 leaves. Basal leaves usually in a rosette, often ± reflexed, linear, 8--15(--20) cm × 3--6 mm, glabrous; leaf sheath of proximal cauline leaves 1--1.5 cm, glabrous or sparingly hirsute along 1 side, mouth open nearly to base; blade of proximal cauline leaves same shape as in basal leaves, 5--20 cm; distal cauline leaves often with only sheath developed or with blade to 3 cm. Flowers usually (1 or)2 to several, in fascicles in involucral bracts, tightly closed upon main axis; involucral bracts forming laxly spicate inflorescence, sheathlike, glabrous; pedicels to 2 cm, jointed above middle, with membranous, sheathlike bracteole below middle. Sepals lanceolate, 5--6 mm, persistent. Petals pink-purple, obovate-orbicular. Fertile stamens 3; filaments pubescent; staminodes 3; antherodes 3-sect. Capsule broadly ovoid, trigonous, 5(--6) mm, apex obtuse, apiculate. Seeds up to 7 per valve, uniseriate, gray-green, often quadrangular, reticulate. Fl. Aug--Sep.
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