Herbs, 15-45 cm tall. Root terete, usually branched, 20-30 × 4-6 cm. Stem single, 5-7 mm thick. Leaves alternate; stipules absent; basal scale-leaves ovate-oblong, 1-2 cm × 4-6 mm; petiole absent; leaf blades gradually larger upward, to oblong, 4-6.5 × 1-2 cm, base subtruncate, apex rounded or acute; lateral veins inconspicuous. Primary involucral leaves usually 5, similar to normal leaves, primary rays 5, 4-6 cm; secondary involucral leaves usually 3, ovate, ca. 4 × 2 cm; cyathophylls 2, triangular-ovate, ca. 2 × 2 cm, base subtruncate, apex acute. Cyathium sessile; involucre campanulate, ca. 4 × 4-5 mm, white pubescent, lobes rounded, white pubescent; glands 4, pale brown, rounded. Male flowers many, exserted from involucre. Female flower: ovary pedicel 3-5 mm, exserted from cup; ovary densely white pubescent; styles connate below middle, persistent; style arms unlobed, slightly emarginate at middle. Fruiting peduncle to 5 mm; capsule ovoid-globose, ca. 6 × 6-7 mm, white pilose. Seeds compressed globose, ca. 4 × 4 mm, gray-brown, adaxially striate, striae unclear; caruncle present, sessile. Fl. and fr. May-Jul.
Can be grown by seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.