Rhizomes short. Stems erect, to 1 m tall, twisted apically at each node, stout, terete, glabrous. Leaves alternate, subsessile; leaf blade lanceolate to ovate-orbicular, 15-27 X 3.5-11 cm. Inflorescences axillary, ascending, patent or pendulous, sometimes 2 or 3 in leaf axil, 2-6 cm; bracts ovate-orbicular to ovate-lanceolate, 1.5-5 mm, short ciliate. Calyx lobes shorter than bracts, lanceolate, short ciliate. Corolla purple or white, 4.5-7 mm, straight; tube subglabrous inside; limb actinomorphic; lobes 1-2 mm, narrowly triangular. Stamens conspicuously exserted; filaments hairy. Capsule 2.5-3 mm. Seeds oblong. Fl. Jun-Jul.