Herbs, perennial, (25-)60-100 cm tall; stems often purplish; most parts pubescent. Lowermost leaves 1-or 2-pinnatipartite or-sect. Middle stem leaves: petiole 5-10(-15) mm; leaf blade ovate or elliptic-ovate, 4-6 × 2-3 cm, abaxially densely gray or yellowish tomentose, mixed pubescent on veins, adaxially dark green gland-dotted and sparsely pubescent, 1(or 2)-pinnatipartite or-cleft, rarely-sect; segments 2 or 3 pairs, various, lanceolate, oblong, or elliptic, 10-20 × 5-12 mm, serrate or entire. Uppermost leaves and leaflike bracts elliptic or lanceolate. Synflorescence a narrow panicle, ultimate branches short and dense, often less than 8 mm, with up to 7 capitula. Capitula closely spaced, ± nodding; peduncle to 1.5 mm. Involucre ellipsoid, 1.5-2 mm; phyllaries white with very faint greenish midrib, sparsely pubescent. Marginal female florets 8-10. Disk florets 10-15, bisexual. Achenes obovoid. Fl. and fr. Sep-Nov.