Herbs to 1 m tall or more, ?annual. Stem erect, branched above middle, glabrous, leafy. Basal leaves not seen. Lower and middle stem leaves broadly elliptic to ovate in outline, 11-20 × 7-14 cm, bipinnately compound, primary division pinnatisect; lateral lobes 3 or 4 pairs, opposite to obliquely opposite, oblanceolate, elliptic, irregularly elliptic, or lanceolate, to 5 cm, irregularly pinnatifid to pinnatisect, base ± winged petiolulate, apex acute to acuminate; primary terminal lobe similar in shape and size to lateral lobes; secondary lateral lobes few, irregularly ovate, triangular-ovate, or elliptic. Upper stem leaves similar to middle stem leaves but smaller and with narrower lobes or linear-lanceolate, reduced in size, and undivided. Synflorescence paniculiform-corymbiform, with many capitula. Capitula with ?20-25 florets; peduncle capillaceous, usually 0.5-3 cm. Involucre cylindric, ca. 6 mm. Phyllaries abaxially glabrous; outer phyllaries ovate, longest ca. 1 mm, apex ± acute; inner phyllaries ca. 8, adaxially ± appressed pubescent, midvein subapically plane, margin narrowly white scarious, apex acute. Anther tube green. Style branches yellow upon drying. Achene dark brownish purple, fusiform, ca. 2 mm, ribs apically finely spiculate, apex attenuate. Pappus white, 3-4 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun-Oct.
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