Herbs 6-13(-20) cm tall, usually small, base whitish to brownish arachnoid. Petiole green, unwinged; leaf blade mid-green to bright green, oblanceolate to broadly oblanceolate, 8-10(-12) × 1.5-2.5 cm, whitish brown arachnoid on outer leaves but ± subglabrous on middle ones, usually lobed or rarely undivided; lateral lobes (when present) 3 or 4 short to moderately long pairs, to 1 × 1 cm, ± patent to recurved, distal margin minutely dentate, apex obtuse; interlobes broad, margin ± entire; terminal lobe rounded-obtuse, 1.5-3 cm, usually broader than lateral lobes, margin entire. Scapes brownish green, ± overtopping leaves, brownish arachnoid. Capitulum 2.5-3.5 cm wide. Involucre 1.1-1.4 cm wide, base broadly rounded. Outer phyllaries 15-18, blackish green and suffused red (black when dry), subimbricate, ± lanceolate, outermost ones (5.5-)6.5-7.5 × 2-2.5(-3) mm and ca. 1/2 as long as inner ones, appressed to erect, without a paler border, flat to minutely corniculate below apex; inner phyllaries 1.2-1.4 cm, flat to corniculate near apex. Ligules yellow, flat; outer ligules outside striped greenish gray; inner ligules with gray or pink apical teeth. Stigmas dark (black when dry). Anthers polliniferous; pollen grains regular in size. Achene deep red or pale straw-colored brown, 4.5-5 × 1.1-1.3 mm; body ± densely spinulose above, ± gradually narrowing into a conic (1-)1.2-1.4(-1.5) mm cone with thick base, spinules conic, short, and acute; beak ca. 6 mm, not thin. Pappus yellowish, 6-6.5 mm. Fl. late summer or autumn. Sexual.
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