Plants perennial, with overlapping bud scales at base forming a 1--4 cm stock; scales ovate to oblong, membranous. Leaves developing at same time as flowers; petiole initially nearly as long as leaf blade, to 2 X as long as leaf blade at fruiting; leaf blade broadly ovate, 2--3(--6) X 1--2(--3) cm, abaxially pubescent along midvein and lateral veins, adaxially with reddish multicellular hairs, base subtruncate to cordulate, margin obscurely repand, fringed with hairs, apex rounded to obtuse. Scapes 5--10(--15) cm, elongating to 10--20(--50) cm in fruit, pilose. Calyx 6--10 mm, parted nearly to base; lobes linear-lanceolate, pilose, apex acute; veins 3. Corolla deep indigo-purple or rose-purple; tube 2--2.5 cm, 6--9 mm wide at apex, uniformly narrow-cylindric; limb 2--3 cm wide; lobes broadly ovate to oblong, apex incised-denticulate. Stamens inserted slightly above middle of corolla tube; filaments 5--7 mm, glabrous; anthers 3--3.5 mm. Ovary and style glabrous. Capsule 5--10(--15) cm. Fl. Jun-Jul.
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