Subshrubs, 15-35 cm tall, sericeous-pubescent or glabrescent. Leaves sericeous-pubescent or glabrescent. Lower and middle stem leaves: petiole 0.5-1 cm; leaf blade broadly ovate, 2.5-4.5 × 2.5-4.5 cm, 2(or 3)-pinnatisect; segments 2 or 3(or 4) pairs; lobules 3 or 5, linear or filiform, 4-10 × 0.5-1 mm. Uppermost leaves and leaflike bracts 3-or 5-lobed. Synflorescence a racemelike panicle. Involucre hemispheric, 3(-4) mm in diam. Marginal female florets 10-15. Disk florets 11-18, male; corolla limb purple. Achenes obovoid. Fl. and fr. Jul-Nov. 2n = 18*.