Hispid, short-lived perennial to c. 50 cm high; hairs with bulbous base. Lower stem lvs to c. 12 × 1 cm, oblong-lanceolate, oblong-linear or linear, often canescent; base attenuate to short petiole or lamina nearly sessile; apex acute; upper lvs smaller, sessile. Panicle diffuse. Bracts < to slightly > calyx. Calyx 3-4.5 mm long at anthesis, deeply lobed, densely hairy; lobes obtuse. Corolla tube 2-4 mm long; limb 10-13 mm diam., deep blue; lobes broad-ovate or suborbicular, 2.5-4 mm long. Scales densely papillate, white. Style > calyx. Nutlets 2-3 mm long, broadly ovoid, suberect, rugose.