Aconitum tanguticum (Maxim.) Stapf

Caudex fusiform or obconical, ca. 2 cm. Stem 8--50 cm tall, simple or branched, sparsely retrorse and appressed pubescent or nearly glabrous. Basal leaves 7--9, long petiolate; petiole 3.5--14 cm, glabrous, base sheathed; leaf blade orbicular or orbicular-reniform, 1.1--3 × 2--6.8 cm, both surfaces glabrous, medially 3-lobed; lobes lobulate, margin orbicular dentate. Cauline leaves 1 or 2(--4), usually shortly petiolate, smaller than basal leaves. Inflorescence terminal, 3--5-flowered; rachis and pedicels ± densely retrorse pubescent; bracts linear, or sometimes basal ones 3-fid. Proximal pedicels (1--)2.5--4.5(--6.5) cm, distal ones shorter, with 2 bracteoles; bracteoles ovate to broadly linear, 2--2.5 mm. Sepals blue-purple, rarely greenish, abaxially pubescent; lower sepals broadly elliptic or elliptic-ovate; lateral sepals 1.1--2.1 cm long and wide; upper sepal navicular, 6--8 mm wide, lower margin slightly concave or suberect, 1.4--2.2 cm high. Petals slightly curved, glabrous; limb very small, 0.6--1.5 mm; lip indistinct, slightly concave; spur erect, short. Stamens sparsely pubescent; filaments entire or 2-denticulate. Carpels 5, pubescent or glabrous. Follicles ca. 1 cm. Seeds obovate, 2--2.5 mm. Fl. Jul--Aug. 2n = 16*.

S Gansu, E Qinghai, Shaanxi, W Sichuan, E Xizang, NW Yunnan.

* Grassy slopes, wet and alpine grasslands; 3200--4800 m.