Stem erect, 28-32 cm tall, 4-6 mm in diam. at base, proximally glabrous, distally and synflorescence shortly yellowish brown pilose. Rosette of leaves not seen. Stem leaves oblong or ovate-oblong, 7-15 × 4.5-6 cm, smaller distally, glabrous or abaxially shortly pilose along veins, pinnately veined, base cuneate or rounded, margin denticulate, apex rounded; proximal stem leaves shortly petiolate, sheath amplexicaul; distal stem leaves sessile, base semiamplexicaul. Synflorescence racemose, 7-22 cm; leaflike bracts linear (except lower one ovate); peduncles 1-5 cm. Capitula 4-13; supplementary bracts linear. Involucre green or blackish purple, campanulate, 8-10 × 6-7 mm, outside shortly pilose; phyllaries 8-12, in 2 rows, lanceolate, apex acuminate; inner phyllaries membranous at margin. Ray florets 8-10, yellow; lamina linear-oblong, ca. 10 × 2 mm, apex obtuse. Tubular florets numerous, 6.5-7 mm; tube 2.5-3 mm. Achenes cylindric, ca. 5 mm. Pappus white, shorter than tubular corolla. Fl. and fr. Jul-Oct.

● Grassy slopes, forest understories, scrub; 3800-4200 m. SW Sichuan, NW Yunnan.