Herbs, erect or ascending, rarely rooting at nodes. Roots not brownish-tomentose. Stems unbranched or sparsely branched, (2--)15--40 cm; internodes densely pilose to glabrescent. Leaves spirally arranged, sessile; blade dull green, linear-lanceolate, 10--30 ´ 0.6--1.6 cm (distal leaf blades equal to or narrower than sheaths when sheaths opened, flattened) , margins ± densely ciliolate, sometimes also sparsely ciliate, apex acuminate, puberulent and sparsely to densely pilose (rarely glabrescent). Inflorescences terminal, rarely axillary; bracts foliaceous, usually spreading, puberulent, usually sparsely to densely pilose, margins ± densely ciliolate. Flowers distinctly pedicillate; pedicels 1.5--3.5 cm, densely pubescent with mixture of glandular, eglandular hairs; sepals suffused with rose or purple, 6--13 mm, pilose with mixture of glandular, eglandular hairs, glandular hairs numerous, conspicuous, longer hairs 1.5--6 mm; petals distinct, rose to bright blue, ovate, not clawed, 11--16 mm; stamens free; filaments bearded. Capsules 5--6 mm. Seeds 2--3 mm; hilum as long as seed. 2n = 12.
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