A dwarf more or less hispid-pilose apparently annual herb usually much branched from the woody base; branches ascending, 3–6 (rarely up to 10) in. long, leafy. Leaves linear or lanceolate, 1/3–1 3/4 (usually 3/4–1) in. long, 1/2–2 1/2 lin. broad, obtuse or acute. Spikes terminal, with the flowers crowded at the apex, becoming lax and growing out usually 3–4 in. long in the fruiting stage, rather broad at the apex, scarcely tapering beyond the opened flowers; bracts ovate to lanceolate, acuminate, 1–2 1/4 lin. long, 1/2– 3/4 lin. broad, ciliate, more or less hairy on the back; bracteoles linear, 1–1 1/2 lin. long. Calyx narrowly tubular, 2 3/4–3 3/4 lin. long, 3/4 lin. broad, 10-nerved, 5-toothed, sparingly to rather densely hispidly hairy; hairs adpressed and turned upwards or spreading; teeth narrowly lanceolate to linear-triangular, 2/3–1 lin. long, spreading after flowering. Corolla deep blue, bright violet, rose or white; tube 3–5 lin. long, straight, cylindric, 1/2– 2/3 lin. broad, adpressed-pilose outside, densely pilose at the throat inside; lobes obovate, 1 1/2–3 1/2 lin. long, 1–2 lin. broad, unequal. Anthers 2/3– 3/4 lin. long, acuminate. Style 1–1 1/2 lin. long, clavate. Capsule oblong, 1 3/4–2 1/4 lin. long, 3/4 lin. broad.
