Annuals 30-60 cm tall. Roots yellow, fibrous. Stems erect, subquadrangular, with wings on angles, branched. Basal leaves withered at anthesis. Stem leaves sessile, ovate to ovate-cordate, 0.8-2.3 × 0.5-1.2 cm, base cordate and subamplexicaul, margin scabrous, apex acute, veins 3-5. Inflorescences narrow, dense, many-flowered thyrses 13-40 cm. Flowers 5merous. Pedicel 3-10 mm, striate. Calyx tube 1-2 mm; lobes lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 5.5-7 mm, margin scabrous and usually slightly revolute, apex acute, veins 3. Corolla pale purple, with dark purple veins, 1-1.5 cm in diam., tube 1-2 mm; lobes narrowly elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 8-10 mm, apex acute. Nectaries 1 per corolla lobe, rhomboid to orbicular, reduced to a naked gland patch. Filaments ca. 5 mm; anthers ellipsoid, ca. 5 mm. Style short, distinct; stigma lobes capitate. Capsules ovoid-ellipsoid, 6-8 mm. Seed coat cristate. Fl. Sep-Oct.
Sporadic in subtropical and temperate forests, in open forest margins, cool and moist places, or in shady moist slopes among tall grasses; at elevations from 1,400-3,270 metres.
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