西北蒿 xi bei hao

Subshrubs or herbs, 30-60(-100) cm tall, with woody rootstock and basal branches, densely pubescent, or stem glabrescent, much branched. Basal leaves in rosettes. Leaves abaxially sparsely pubescent; basal and lower stem leaves: leaf blades ovate or broadly ovate, 2-5 × 1.5-3 cm, 2- or 3-pinnatisect. Middle stem leaves 2-pinnatisect; segments 3 or 4 pairs; lobules elliptic or linear, 3-5 × 0.5-1 mm, obtuse apically. Uppermost leaves and leaflike bracts pinnatisect or entire; lobes of entire leaves linear or linear-lanceolate. Synflorescence a ± narrow panicle. Capitula many, nodding. Involucre globose, 2.5-3(-3.5) mm in diam. Marginal female florets 8-12. Disk florets 30-40, bisexual; corolla limb puberulent or later glabrescent. Achenes obovoid. Fl. and fr. Jul-Oct. 2n = 18.

Rocky slopes, dry valleys, steppes, hills; low to middle elevations. Gansu, Ningxia, E and N Xinjiang [Kazakhstan, Russia; C and E Europe, North America].