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Herb 35–80 cm tall; stems simple, subquadrangular, minutely hispid to subglabrous, sulcate, blackening on drying. Leaves erect or appressed to stem, linear-lanceolate, (2.5–)6–11 cm long, 0.3–1.9 cm wide, sessile, decurrent at base, apex obtuse or rarely subacute, margins entire, 3-5-veined, scabrid above, subglabrous beneath, except scabrid on prominent veins, much exceeding internodes. Racemes (5–)10–20 cm long; flowers numerous; bracts cordate to broadly ovate, 5–8.5 mm long, somewhat connate, glabrous; pedicels 4–14 mm long, glabrous. Calyx 5–8 mm long, obscurely veined, glandular-punctate; lobes broadly ovate-deltate, 1.5–3 mm long, obtuse, glabrous. Corolla pink to purple or blue, or occasionally white, 18–30 mm long, externally glabrous, pubescent within especially at base; lobes subequal, occasionally upper 2 clearly smaller. Style 16–18 mm long, arcuate above, equalling or slightly exceeding longer stamens, base persistent in fruit. Capsule ovoid, 7–8 mm long, 5–6.5 mm in diameter. Fig. 49, p. 190.