Perennials, (2–)10–20(–25) cm; rhizomatous, fibrous-rooted, rhizomes horizontal or erect, sometimes branched, relatively short, sometimes resembling taproots. Stems erect, sparsely to moderately villous (hairs 0.5–1.6 mm), usually stipitate-glandular (hairs 0.05–0.4 mm). Leaves basal (persistent) and cauline; basal blades oblong-oblanceolate to narrowly obovate, 30–120 × (3–)5–14 mm, margins entire (apices acute), faces densely hirsute to coarsely villous, sparsely stipitate-glandular to minutely glandular; cauline blades oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, gradually reduced distally or nearly equal-sized (bases often subclasping). Heads 1. Involucres 6–10 × 12–20 mm. Phyllaries in ca. 2 series (purple at least at tips, narrowly lanceolate, equal, apically acuminate), densely hirsute, hirsuto-villous, or villous (hairs whitish, cross walls not colored), sparsely stipitate-glandular to minutely glandular. Ray florets 65–110; corollas white to lavender or blue, 13–17 mm (1.2–1.7 mm wide), laminae weakly coiling. Disc corollas 3.8–4.5 mm. Cypselae 2–2.5 mm, 2-nerved, faces sparsely strigose; pappi: outer of relatively long setae or scales, inner of 14–20(–25) bristles. 2n = 36.
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