Robust perennial herb, 1 or several stout flowering stems from the stock, decumbent then erect, up to 50 cm long, 1 cm diam., simple below, branching above into the corymbose inflorescence, glandular-pubescent, densely leafy, the inflorescence branches with small leaves degenerating upwards into large bracts, the whole compact and very leafy. Leaves all cauline, up to 70 x 15 mm, oblong to lanceolate, apex subacute, base broad, cordate-clasping and slightly decurrent, margins coarsely and irregularly toothed to lobulate, often remotely denticulate as well, both surfaces densely glandular-pubescent, clammy when fresh. Heads discoid, turbinate, up to c. 25 x 20 mm across the flattened pappus, many in a leafy, compact, corymbose panicle. Involucral bracts c. 16-24, 3.5-16 mm long, glandular-pubescent, calyculus bracts several, descending on the peduncle. Flowers purplish or mustard yellow. Achenes cylindric, ribbed, long white curly hairs between the ribs. Pappus very copious, fine and silky, exserted far beyond the involucre in fruit.
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