Robust tufted herb, sts forming large clumps of offset plants from branched runners; sheaths densely compacted to form a thick pseudostem up to c. 10 cm. long. Lamina lanceolate to lanceolate-or ovate-oblong, sulcate, coriac., (2)-3-4-(6) dm. × (2.5)-4-8-(10) cm., acute to acuminate; upper surface covered by conspicuous pellicle of matted glistening hairs, separating when old; lower clad in dense closely appressed white satiny tomentum, midrib us. distinct; margins entire, slightly recurved, narrowed to short petiole; sheath clad in dense long white hairs, often forming a ± deciduous pellicle. Scape stout, up to c. 4 dm. long, clad in appressed white satiny tomentum; bracts ∞, lamina linear-subulate, up to c. 10 cm. long, the uppermost us. crowded, forming a pseudo-involucre around capitulum 4-10 cm. diam. Phyll. ∞, linear-subulate, up to c. 2 cm. long, acute, strongly veined, floccose on margins and towards apex. Ray-florets ∞, (2)-3-4 cm. long; limb narrow-oblong, very conspicuous, us. 4-toothed. Disk-florets c. 7-8 mm. long, narrow-funnelform; teeth minute, broad-triangular. Achenes compressed-cylindric to almost fusiform, often curved, strongly grooved, glab., 5-7 mm. long. Pappus-hairs slender, white, up to 9 mm. long, very finely barbellate.
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