Herbs, perennial, 35-70 cm tall, arachnoid pubescent; rhizome creeping, with short branches from upper parts. Leaves abaxially densely gray arachnoid tomentose, adaxially sparsely arachnoid pubescent and gland-dotted. Lower and middle stem leaves: petiole 1-2 cm; lowermost leaf blades elliptic or ovate-elliptic in outline, 5-8 × 4-7 cm, 1-or 2-pinnatipartite or pinnatisect; segments 3(or 4) pairs, variously rhombic, elliptic, or oblong; lobules minute, 5-10 × 4-5 mm. Middle and upper stem leaves smaller, less divided, blade pinnatisect; segments 2 or 3(or 4) pairs; lobes linear-lanceolate, linear, elliptic-lanceolate, or lanceolate, 10-15 × 2-3 mm. Leaflike bracts 3-5-sect or entire. Synflorescence a ± dense narrowly conical panicle. Involucre oblong or ovoid, (2-)2.5-3.5(-4) mm in diam.; phyllaries greenish or violet, arachnoid pubescent. Marginal female florets 5-8. Disk florets 6-13, bisexual. Achenes obovoid. Fl. and fr. Jul-Oct. 2n = 18.