Phlomis rotata Benth. ex Hook.f.

Herbs 2.5-10 cm tall. Rhizome elongate, to 1 cm in diameter. Leaves 4-6, decussate; petiole of basal leaves to 8 cm, upper ones shorter to obsolete; leaf blade rhombic-orbicular to rhombic, flabellate, or reniform, 6-13 cm long, 7-12 mm wide, adaxially bullate, densely white pilose, abaxially sparsely pubescent on veins, base shallowly cordate to broadly cuneate-decurrent, margin crenate, apex obtuse to acute; lateral veins 3 pairs, subbasal, flabellate due to secondary branching on 1 side. Inflorescences 3.5-7 cm; rachis densely pubescent; bracts lanceolate, oblanceolate, or linear, 1-4 cm long, 1.5-6 mm wide, reduced upward, base decurrent, margin entire, apex acuminate, ciliate; bracteoles ca. 8 mm long, 0.5 mm wide. Calyx ca. 10 mm long, 2.5 mm wide, purplish brown when dry, veins pilose; teeth broadly triangular, spine ca. 2 mm. Corolla purplish, red-purple, or reddish brown, ca. 1.2 cm; tube ca. 1.3 mm wide at base, to 2 mm wide at throat; upper lip subcircular, ca. 5 mm wide; lower lip puberulent except for entire margin outside, glabrous; middle lobe bearded inside, elliptic, ca. 4 mm long, 3 mm wide; lateral lobes ca. 2.5 mm long, 2 mm wide.