Perennial shrub. Stems quadrangular, appressed hairy, densely hairy at nodes. Leaves simple, decussate, elliptic-lanceolate, acute-acuminate, hairy, base tapering, margin ciliate. Flowers in axillary and terminal short ovate dense spikes. Bracteoles conspicuous, 1-1.5 x 0.1-0.2 cm, linear, acute, distantly toothed margins. Calyx segments 4, two partite, divided almost to the base, sub spinous bristle- tipped teeth on the margins. Corolla pink or blue or white, pubescent outside, lobes 1-1.8 x 0.8-1.8 cm, obovate-oblong rounded, lower lobe emarginate; upper tube widely infundibuliform. Fertile stamens 2, exerted beyond the tube.

Specific epithet cristata means ‘crested’ or ‘having tassel like tips’