Stems 20-25 cm tall. Lower leaves ± erect, oblong-spatulate, 2-7 × 0.4-0.8 cm, sparsely or densely pubescent, sparsely glandular. Capitula 3-3.5 cm in diam. Phyllaries unequal, oblong-spatulate, 1.5-2.3 mm wide, outer series ca. 3/4 length of inner, blade reddish, apex rounded.

This variety has unequal phyllaries, similar to Aster heterolepis, but its other features differ from the latter. It might be better treated as a species.

● About 1700 m. N Xinjiang (Tacheng).