Perennial herb. Rhizome short; aerial stems long and decumbent, becoming erect and then often purplish. Petiole often = lamina in lower lvs, becoming short in lvs below infl. Lamina 1.7-6 × 0.7-2.3 cm, ovate or ovate-oblong, hairy, especially on veins below, usually entire or shallowly toothed, or rarely upper lvs with narrow lobes (hybrids); base cuneate to rounded. Bracts 2-10 cm long, broad-ovate to broad-reniform, acuminate, the uppermost often acute, with prominent white cilia and often purple-tinged. Calyx 7-9 mm long, purplish; upper lip shallowly 3-toothed and mucronate; lower lobe of 2 lanceolate, acuminate teeth. Corolla 10-15 mm long, usually violet, rarely pink or white. Stamen appendages ± straight. Nutlets 1.5-2 mm long, ellipsoid or ellipsoid-obovoid, shining brown.