[2] Leaves: Entire to slightly sinuate[2] or pinnately lobed[3] leaves are borne in a basal rosette,[2][3] are green or greyish-green above and are a paler, somewhat glaucous colour beneath, and measure between 2–16-[2] 25[3] cm in length, and 0.5-2.2 cm in width, tapering gradually at the base.

[3] Fruit: oblong-ellipsoid to subcylindric green capsules with purple ribs ripening to brown.

considered that the generally weak characteristics of the bulbous root implied that it was a difficult plant.

[3] In the wild, it is particularly associated with limestone habitats,[3] including stony alpine meadows, rocky slopes, screes, moraines,[2][3] stony and rocky pastures, open low moorland scrub, and alpine moorland.

[3] Widespread across China,[3] specifically in western China, from southwest Gansu to northwest Yunnan, east and southeast Tibet, western Sichuan; the Cangshan, Yulongxueshan, and the mountains of the Mekong-Salween and Mekong-Yangtze divides.