stem robust, suffruticose, simple or sparingly branched; branches imbricated with leaves throughout, the upper leaves gradually smaller, and membrane-tipped, the lower narrow-oblong, sessile, subacute, on both sides densely and softly woolly; heads solitary, nodding, very many-fl.; inv. campanulate, loosely radiating, the scales obtuse, oblongo-lanceolate, the very-innermost much shorter than the medial. 1–2 f. high; branches, when any, virgate. Whole plant closely shaggy, with whitish or fulvous wool. Leaves 1–1 1/2 inch long, 3–4 lines wide, very closely set, gradually smaller upwards, all the upper ones tipped with a lanceolate, membranous, glabrous scale. Heads 1 1/2–2 inches across. Inv. either white, or the scales tipped with brown, or rusty, glossy.
