Chesneya purpurea P.C.Li is a perennial plant with thick woody rootstock which are branching at the ground level. Stems are not more than 5cm and densely covered with non-spiny persistent leaf rachises. Leaves odd pinnate with 13-31 leaflets which are ovate-oblong, acute apex, rounded base and appressed pubescent above. Petals are sometimes yellow with purple tinge or entirely purple. Pods are ellipsoid in shape and pubescent.
They grow on open rocky slopes and flowers from May to July.
The flora of Bhutan has it under the name Spongiocarpella purpurea (P.C.Li) Yakovlev which is now a synonym. This is the lone species under the genus Chesneya present in Bhutan.
Yakley La Pass, Thimphu Bhutan | June 2020