Herbs perennial, to 20--60 cm tall, drying black. Roots ± fleshy. Stems long branched throughout entire length or near base only; branches opposite or in whorls of 3, with 4 lines of glandular hairs. Leaves mostly in whorls of 3, sometimes opposite or rarely in 4's; petiole to 3.5 cm, pubescent, usually not enlarged and connate; leaf blade oblong or linear-oblong, ca. 1 cm X 2--5 mm, pinnatisect; segments 9--12 pairs, narrowly lanceolate, pinnatipartite, incised-dentate. Inflorescences spicate; bracts leaflike, bases enlarged, connate, cupular, 1--1.5 cm high. Calyx 7--8 mm, membranous, glabrous, cleft anteriorly to 1/2 as long as tube; lobes rounded. Corolla yellow, 2--2.5 cm, pubescent; tube ca. 2 X as long as calyx; galea erect, bowed apically, ca. as long as tube, with 2 marginal teeth; lower lip 7--8 mm, ciliate. Filaments pubescent. Fl. Jun--Jul, fr. Aug.