Stems erect, 0.5-1 m tall, sulcate-striate, densely villous, densely leafy, usually few branched. Radical leaves lanceolate, 11-40 cm long, base angled, pinnatifid, segments patent or reflexed, variously incised, hairy on both surfaces, spines 7-10 mm long; cauline leaves lanceolate, gradually smaller upward, linear-lanceolate, spinulose. Heads nodding, terminal, 3-4 cm across, subtended by 1-3 spinulose leaves; involucre globose-campanulate, 13-17×25-35 mm, bracts 7-seriate, cobwebby, purplish, outer ones shorter, lanceolate-oblong; corolla purple, 1.2-1.6 cm long, limb shorter than tube; pappus brown, 11-15 mm long. Achenes oblong, ca. 3 mm long, compressed.
ILAN: Taipingshan, Peng 7851. HSINCHU: Itsashan, Huang 78. MIAOLI: 99 villa to Tapachienshan, Peng 8493. TAICHUNG: Wuling to Taoshan, Peng 12012; Chika Lodge to east peak of Hsuehshan, Peng 9625. NANTOU: Hohuanshan, Peng 8327. HUALIEN: Pilu, Peng 9243.
Endemic; in northern half of Taiwan, 2,000-3,000 m.
