Erect herbs to 0.6 m high, not or hardly leafier in lower 1/3 at anthesis. Taproot inconspicuous; secondary roots fleshy. Stems sparse to moderately densely appressed-cottony, reducing to glabrous upwards. Leaves 8–15 cm long, with l:w ratio 8–20, usually undivided, occasionally lobate with 1 or 2 triangular lobes per side; base attenuate; margin appearing entire; upper surface glabrous, sparsely hispid or cobwebby; lower surface glabrous except for hispid midrib, not purple. Capitula few to several per stem; calycular bracteoles 8–12, 3–6 mm long; peduncle and calyculus not or sparsely cobwebby at anthesis; involucre (7–) 9–13 mm long, 3–5 mm diam.; bracts (13–) 20–25, glabrous. Florets 50–100. Achenes bottle-shaped, 3–6 mm long, brown, with papillose hairs in broad bands; l:w ratio of hairs c. 3–4. Pappus 7–10 mm long.
Grows in low-lying areas on basalt-derived clay or clay-loam soils, in grassland, sedgeland and woodland.
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