Rhizome thick. Stem stout, erect 100-130 cm. Rosette leaves with long petiole, large 40-50 cm long, 7-10 cm wide. Blade lyrate-pinnatifid with triangular terminal lobe and few smaller lobes. Stem leaves successively reduced to bracts. Flower head of 15-20 flowers. Involucral bracts imbricate in three rows. Flowers blue. V - early spring to autumn frosts. Fl - June for one month. Fr. - September. P - easy by seed and by division. Very good for shady places. Dry resistant. Z 4. New.

Central Asia (Dzhungaria, Pamiro Alay, Tien Shan). In forest with Picea schrenkiana Fisch. et C. A. Mey., on 1,500-3,500 m elevation.