Herbs, perennial, 10-20(-30) cm tall, with a short thick rootstock, gray or yellowish pubescent, later sparsely pubescent. Lower stem leaves: petiole 1-2 cm; leaf blade ovate or oblong, 2-3 × 1.5-2 cm, 2-pinnatisect; segments 3 or 4 pairs, elliptic; lobules 3-5 pairs, lanceolate, 3-5 × 1-1.5 cm, apex obtuse. Middle and upper stem leaves: leaf blade ovate or oblong, pinnatisect; segments 2 or 3 pairs; lobes linear-lanceolate, 5-15 × 2-3 mm; leaflike bracts linear-lanceolate or falcate. Synflorescence a narrow panicle. Capitula dense, sessile. Involucre 2.5-3.5 mm in diam.; phyllaries densely pubescent or glabrescent. Marginal female florets 6-9. Disk florets 8-14, male. Achenes oblong or broadly ovoid. Fl. and fr. Jul-Oct.