A scapigerous perennial herb with a simple or branched taproot Leaves many radical rosulate, 5–11 x 1.5–3.5 cm., exceptionally to c. 34 x 6 cm., oblanceolate in outline, recurved-dentate to runcinate-pinnatifid, glabrous or somewhat pubescent; apical lobe ovate-hastate; lateral lobes of 2–6 pairs, spreading recurved-falcate to broadly triangular, acute, margins entire to laciniate-dentate, sinuses sometimes strongly toothed. Scapes 1-several stout simple, 1–40 cm. tall, glabrous often ± densely lanate at first. Capitula solitary, terminal; involucres up to c. 15 x 9 mm. in fruiting heads, oblong-campanulate. Phyllaries glabrous, sometimes subapically corniculate; the inner series olive-green outside, up to c. 14 mm. long, linear-lanceolate with scarious margins; the outer series brownish-purple when dry, shorter, spreading or reflexed. Corollas yellow, up to c. 10 mm. long; ligule with a darker strip outside; style arms yellowish when dry. Achenes pale-to dark-brown, 2.5–3 mm. long with a beak 4–7 mm. long, oblanceolate, 10–14-ribbed, ± abruptly narrowed above into a cone 0.75–1 mm. long which tapers into the slender beak; ribs uniform narrow antrorsely muricate or echinate above; pappus white, of numerous fine minutely barbellate setae 4–6 mm. long.