Herbs perennial, 20--32 cm, drying black. Roots ± fusiform, fleshy. Stems often single, erect, unbranched, pubescent apically. Leaves many, mostly basal; petiole to 3--7 cm; leaf blade linear-lanceolate, 5--9 X 1--1.3 cm, pinnatisect to pinnatipartite; segments 15--24 pairs, ± ovate, incised-double dentate. Stem leaves few, often 3--5, smaller than basal leaves. Inflorescences subcapitate; bracts leaflike. Pedicel 2--3 mm. Calyx ca. 6 mm, slightly cleft anteriorly; lobes 3, unequal, posterior one smallest. Corolla rose, ca. 2 cm; tube erect, 1.2--1.4 cm, villous; galea ± bent at a right angle, prominently crested, with 1 linear reflexed marginal tooth on one or both sides; beak to 6 mm; lower lip ca. 9 mm X 1 cm. Filaments pubescent. Capsule oblong, 1--1.5 cm. Seeds ovoid, ca. 2 mm. Fl. Aug, fr. Aug--Sep.