Plants 50–300 cm (weakly rhizomatous). Stems round. Basal leaves: blades ovate to narrowly lanceolate or lance-linear, to 30+ cm, margins usually entire. Cauline leaves: proximal petiolate, ovate to narrowly lanceolate or lance-linear, margins usually entire; distal sessile, smaller. Involucres 8–10 mm. Phyllaries (± purple-tinged) lance-ovate, midveins not winged (tips acute to acuminate, papillate). Corollas usually white or greenish, rarely purplish, 8–9(–10) mm. Cypselae fusiform or clavate, 4–5 mm (dark brown, 7–8-ribbed); pappi (5–)6–7.5 mm. 2n = 50, 52, 56.