Phlomis rotata Benth. ex Hook.f.

Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Nepal]

Himalaya (Nepal to Bhutan), Tibet, S. W. China.

Herbs 2.5-10 cm tall. Rhizome elongate, to 1 cm in diam. 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, (4-)6-13 cm × (4.4-)7-12 mm, 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 × 1.5-6 mm, reduced upward, base decurrent, margin entire, apex acuminate, ciliate; bracteoles ca. 8 × 0.5 mm. Calyx ca. 10 × 2.5 mm, 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 × 3 mm; lateral lobes ca. 2.5 × 2 mm. Fl. Jun-Jul, fr. Aug-Sep.

Weathered alpine alluvial fans, stony alpine meadows, floodplains; 2700-4900 m.