D. bholua subsp. emeiensis is distinguished from subsp. bholua by obtuse leaves, shorter oblong involucral bracts (up to 7 mm rather than 18 mm), and shorter calyx lobes (3-5 mm rather than 5-7 mm). It has reddish fruit. It is found in forests and forest margins at altitudes of 800-1100 m in Mount Emei and Pingshan county in Sichuan, China.