Herbs perennial, 10--25 cm tall, glabrescent, ± drying black. Roots slightly conical, ± woody. Stems several, ± ascending, unbranched, glabrescent. Proximal leaves opposite or in whorls of 3, distal ones in whorls of 4; petiole to 1.5 cm; leaf blade oblong-lanceolate, 2--3 X 1--1.5 cm, pinnatisect; segments 6--8 pairs, ovate to lanceolate-oblong, widely-spaced and 1--3 pairs deeply cut basally, dentate; rachis winged. Inflorescences spicate, 4--9 cm, interrupted; bracts linear-lanceolate, leaflike, proximal ones longer than flowers. Pedicel erect, 2--5 mm, slender, glabrous. Calyx obliquely broadly ovate, membranous, glabrous, slightly cleft anteriorly; lobes 5, unequal, broadly ovate, serrate. Corolla purple, ca. 1.3 cm; tube decurved basally, 8--9 mm, expanded apically; galea slightly falcate apically, not crested, truncate in front; lower lip ca. 5 X 6 mm, glabrous, middle lobe rounded, ca. 1/2 as large as lateral lobes, ca. 2.5 mm wide. 2 filaments pubescent, 2 glabrous. Fl. Jul, fr. Aug.