Herb forming very large tufts with lf-sheaths densely imbricate around stem. Lamina (10)-15-25-(40) × 4-5-(7) cm., rather thick, coriac.; oblong to broad-oblong to sublanceolate; upper surface glab. or nearly so, except evident midrib and main veins; lower surface and margins densely clad in rich to pale ferruginous soft velvety tomentum, midrib prominent, purple, soon glab. Apex obtuse or sts subacute, margins us. hidden by tomentum, narrowing to purplish petiole (5)-10-15 cm. long, merging into sheath 5-10 × 1-2 cm. with floccose white tomentum without and silvery pellicle within. Scape very stout, ± flattened, 20-50 cm. long, with loose ferruginous tomentum. Bracts few, towards upper part of scape; lamina linear-subulate, up to c. 6 cm. long. Capitula ± 4-5 cm. diam.; phyll. ∞, subulate-linear, acute, up to c. 2 cm. long, clad in pale brown to ferruginous spreading hairs. Ray-florets ∞, up to 2 cm. long, narrow-elliptic, limb ± pilose in lower part, glab. in upper, 3-toothed. Achenes glab., 4-5 mm. long, cylindric, grooved. Pappus-hairs up to 8 mm. long, white, slender, finely barbellate.
Home