Erect herbs to c. 0.6 m high, distinctly leafier in lower 1/3 at anthesis. Taproot usually well-developed; secondary stems fleshy. Stems usually woolly basally, reducing to sparsely appressed-cottony or nearly glabrous upwards. Leaves 3–12 (–15) cm long, with l:w ratio c. 4–30, sometimes coarsely dentate, with 1–4 teeth per side; base without auricles or uppermost leaves with small projections; margin entire, denticulate or dentate; upper surface of lower leaves hispid, reducing to sparsely cobwebby or glabrous; lower surface similar to upper, sometimes cobwebby over hispid hair-bases, commonly purple. Capitula numerous per stem; calycular bracteoles 4–8, 1–3 mm long; peduncle and calyculus not cobwebby at anthesis; involucre 8.5–12 mm long, 1.5–2 mm diam.; bracts 12–14, glabrous. Florets 40–60. Achenes slightly bottle-shaped, 3–4 mm long, reddish or brown, with papillose hairs scattered in lines; l:w ratio of hairs c. 1–2. Pappus 7–9 mm long.
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