A glabrous, efarinose, non-aromatic species with oblong-obovate to oblanceloate leaves, rounded at the apex, strongly tapering to the base into a petiole which is broadly winged or indistinct, and margin regularly denticulate. Scape to 45cm, with 2-6 whorls of deep purple-crimson, strongly annulate flowers with spreading limbs and a yellow eye. Calyx campanulate, often covered with reddish striae, cut to 1/3 into triangular to oblong lobes, apex obtuse. Bracts are linear-lanceolate, pedicels 1-2cm and tightly adpressed to the scape when in fruit. White forms are known. See related species P. stenodonta and P. wilsonii.