Herbs 80-100 cm tall, annual. Stem erect, branched from middle third or higher, glabrous, distantly leafy. Basal leaves with petiole to 15 cm; leaf blade cordate-hastate to sometimes ovate, to 15 × 5 cm, glabrous, margin sinuate-denticulate, apex acute, obtuse, or rounded. Stem leaves with gradually shorter petiole upwardly on stem, leaf blade smaller than in basal leaves and otherwise similar or lyrately pinnatisect; lateral lobes 1 or 2 pairs, alternate, narrowly ovate; terminal lobe broadly triangular, apex acuminate; uppermost leaves linear-lanceolate, reduced in size. Synflorescence paniculiform-corymbiform, with many capitula. Capitula with 15-20 florets. Involucre cylindric, 5-6 mm. Phyllaries abaxially glabrous; outer phyllaries ovate, longest less than ca. 1 mm, apex acute; inner phyllaries 8, adaxially appressed pubescent, midvein subapically plane, margin narrowly white scarious, apex acute. Achene pale red, finely mottled with yellow, fusiform, ca. 2 mm, ribs apically finely spiculate, apex strongly attenuate. Pappus white, ca. 4 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun.