Herbs perennial, 60--70 cm tall. Stems usually several together, glabrous basally. Leaves alternate; petiole ca. 12 cm, distal ones shorter, glabrous; leaf blade oblong to oblong-lanceolate, to 13 X 5.5 cm, abaxially densely pubescent, apex acute, pinnatisect; segments 15--18 pairs, linear-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, pinnatifid, dentate. Inflorescences spicate, to 18 cm, ± lax, many flowered; bracts ca. 6 mm, ovate, apex acute. Calyx cylindric-ovate, ca. 6 mm, slightly cleft anteriorly; lobes 5, triangular, ± equal, densely ciliate. Corolla purple-red, ca. 1.5 cm; tube barely exceeding calyx, glabrous; galea strongly bent, apex with several dark purple spots; lobes of lower lip acute at apex. Fl. Jul, fr. Aug--Sep.