Variable herbaceous perennial. Stems twinÂing or prostrate, pilose with yellowish or brownish hairs, up to 3 m long. Leaves ovate-cordate in outline, 30-130 x 25-120 mm, entire to 3-lobed to ± middle, apex acute to acuminate, basal lobes broadly rounded, sinus deep and narrow, green and strigose above, densely floc-cose-cobwebby tomentose beneath, veins on lower surface conspicuous with yellowish hairs, margin entire to distinctly repand; petiole pilose, up to 90 mm. Inflorescence a dense, head-like pedunculate cyme; peduncle hairy, 30-130 mm long; bracteoles lanceolate, hirsute, 10-12 mm long; pedicels ± wanting. Sepals equal, linear-lanceolate, 8-15 mm long, with 3 kinds of indumentum, white-cottony tomentum, adpressed or spreading yellow bristles and sesÂsile or stalked marginal glands (one or more of these kinds may be absent). Corolla funnel-shaped, purple, mauve or magenta, 20-40 mm long and limb as much wide; midpetaline areas well defined, glabrous or sparsely hairy. Capsule subglobose, 8-10 mm long, slightly to densely bristly or with faint white tomentum. Seeds ovoid, dark brown, ± 3 mm long, very shortly pubescent or glabrous. Flowering time throughout the year, mostly January to May.
