Herbs, perennial, 20-40(-50) cm tall, forming compact tussocks, gray arachnoid pubescent, later glabrescent. Lower and middle stem leaves: petiole 0.5-1 cm; leaf blade elliptic or ovate-elliptic, 1.5-3 × 0.5-1 cm, gray arachnoid pubescent, later glabrescent, 1(or 2)-pinnatipartite; segments 3 or 4 pairs, elliptic or ovate, margin 2 or 3-toothed. Upper leaves and leaflike bracts pinnatipartite, 3-partite, or entire. Synflorescence a somewhat broad conical panicle. Involucre ovoid or oblong, 2-3 mm in diam.; phyllaries gray arachnoid pubescent. Florets 3-5. Achenes obovoid. Fl. and fr. Aug-Oct.