Herbs perennial, 20--50 cm tall. Roots robust, lignified, crowned. Stems sparsely caespitose, erect, not or sparsely branched, basally pubescent, rarely subglabrous, apically viscid. Basal leaves spatulate to oblanceolate, (2--)4--9 cm × 4--10 mm, both surfaces glabrous, ciliate, midvein conspicuous, base attenuate into long petiole, apex acute or obtuse; cauline leaves 1--4 pairs, linear-lanceolate, smaller than basal leaves, without short, axillary sterile branches. Flowers in a racemiform thyrse; cymules several flowered, opposite, appearing verticillate. Pedicel 5--13 mm, glabrous; bracts ovate-lanceolate, margin membranous, ciliate. Calyx sometimes violet, clavate, 6--7 mm, glabrous. Androgynophore 2--3 mm, pubescent. Petal claws elliptic-oblanceolate, ciliate basally, without auricles; limbs yellowish white, elliptic, margin entire or emarginate. Coronal scales minute. Stamens and styles prominently exserted; filaments glabrous. Styles 3. Capsule ovoid, ca. 6 mm. Seeds reniform. Fl. Jun--Jul.