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Stems simple below, ± shortly branched above, usually branching only at the apex but sometimes with numerous short branches in the upper c. half, densely leafy, finely-ribbed, appressed-pubescent; the hairs flagelliform; branches ascending, 4–25 cm. long, less densely leafy than the stem.
Achenes to c. 5 mm. long, narrowly tapering to the base, distinctly 6–10-ribbed, densely white strigose-hispid particularly on the ribs, glandular between the ribs; pappus buff or sordid, the outer pappus of short narrow scales, the inner of long-barbellate setae c. 9 mm. long.
Phyllaries c. 8-seriate, closely appressed-imbricate, acute often purplish at the apex, araneose-lanate; the outer phyllaries from c. 2 mm. long, ovate-lanceolate; the inner increasing in length to c. 18 mm. long, linear-lanceolate.
Capitula usually solitary and terminal on stems and branches, or corymbiformly cymose; capitula stalks usually gradually widening towards the apex.
Leaves crowded, ± appressed-ascending, overlapping, up to c. 7 cm. long, usually shorter, filiform to linear, revolute, scabridulous.
Corollas purple, narrowly funnel-shaped, up to c. 2 cm. long, limbs ± exserted from the involucre.
Involucre 10–18 x 10–20 mm., globose-cyathiform or ± turbinate.
An erect usually strict annual herb 20–100 cm. tall.
