Perennial herb, 0.2-0.5 m long. Leaves: lower leaves obovate-cuneate to spathulate, obtuse, tapering much at base, glabrous, entire; upper leaves oblong, half clasping at base; pedicels scabrous. Involucral scales linear, obtuse. Cypselae smooth, with 3 narrow wings.
Like O. scariosum but leaves mostly entire, glabrous, spathulate, and achenes with wings 1 mm wide.