Salvia pauciflora is a perennial plant that is native to Yunnan province in China, growing in and around forests at 2,800 to 3,400 m (9,200 to 11,200 ft) elevation. It grows on 2-4 slender unbranched stems with widely spaced leaves. The leaves are broadly ovate to ovate-triangular, typically ranging in size from 2.5 to 6 cm (0.98 to 2.36 in) long and 1.2 to 5 cm (0.47 to 1.97 in) wide.