Flowering from May to June; fruiting from July to August.
Pedicularis rupicola subsp. rupicola is close relative of Pedicularis rupicola subsp. zambalensis, but differs from the latter in its plants to 4-20 cm tall (vs. 20 cm), lateral branches usually ascending (vs. erect), inflorescences 3-8 cm (vs. 12 cm), fascicles few (vs. numerous), bracts and calyx nearly densely hirsute (vs. usually glabrous), capsule obliquely lanceolate-ovate (vs. long and narrow), apex acute (vs. acuminate).
Pedicularis rupicola is occurring in SW Sichuan, SE Xizang, NW Yunnan of China.
Herbs perennial, 4-20 cm tall, usually drying black. Roots thick, fleshy. Stems numerous, central stem erect, lateral branches ascending, with lines of dense hairs. Leaves in whorls of 4. Basal leaves usually persistent; petiole up to 2 cm long. Stem leaf petiole short, to less than 5 mm; leaf blade ovate-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 3-5 cm long, ca. 8 mm wide, villous, pinnatisect; segments 6-9 pairs, nearly ovate, pinnatifid, dentate. Inflorescences spicate, 3--8 cm, compact to lax; bracts leaflike, long ciliate. Calyx obliquely ovate, ca. 9 mm, membranous, deeply cleft anteriorly, densely hirsute; lobes 5, unequal, broadly ovate, distinctly lobulate and serrate. Corolla purple-red, 1.6--2 cm; tube nearly bent at a right angle near base; galea slightly falcate, 4.5--6 mm, apex rounded; lower lip 5-7.5 mm long, 7.5-10 mm wide, middle lobe ca. half as long as lateral lobes. Filaments glabrous. Capsule obliquely lanceolate-ovoid, 1.5-2 cm long, 5-9 mm wide, apex acute. Seeds ca. 3 mm.
Growing in alpine meadows, rock slopes; 2500-4800 m.
