Salvia alatipetiolata is a perennial plant that is native to Sichuan province in China, growing on grassy hillsides at 3,800 m (12,500 ft) elevation. The plant grows on erect stems up to 40 cm (16 in) tall, with numerous basal leaves that are ovate-hastate, ranging in size from 3.5 to 6 cm (1.4 to 2.4 in) long and 1.5 to 4.5 cm (0.59 to 1.77 in) wide. The upper leaf surface is mostly smooth, while the underside has many gray hairs. Inflorescences are of loose raceme-panicles, with a 2 cm (0.79 in) yellowish corolla held in a purple calyx.