stem erect, simple, leafy at the base only, pedunculoid upwards and densely woolly; subradical leaves sessile, either ovate-oblong or ovato-lanceolate, generally acute-pointed and narrowed to the base, rarely obtuse at both ends, the cauline (1–2) stem-clasping, lanceolate-oblong, narrow, all 5–7–9-nerved, woolly beneath, piloso-scabrid and thinly cobwebbed or glabrate above; heads many in a densely-branched, flat-topped or globose cyme, many-fl., pedicellate; inv. campanulate, imbricate, woolly at base, apices of the scales glabrous, membranous, broadly-oblong, obtuse, pale horn-colour or purplish. Stem 12–15 inches high. Leaves 2–4 inches long, 1–2 1/2 inches wide, becoming glabrate above, but persistently rough with swollen, jointed bristles; the under surface variably tomentose. Condensed cyme 1–1 1/2 inch diameter, at length flat-topped.
