Perennial, shrubby, up to 70 cm tall; base woody. Stems 1 or more from the base. Basal and lower leaves linear, coriaceous, up to 12 cm long, 2-3 mm broad, veins 3-5, secondary veins obscure; upper leaves similar, shorter. Involucral bracts 3-5, short, linear. Rays 3-5, thin, unequal. Involucel of 5 linear bractlets, as long as the flowering pedicels. Fruit oblong, 3 mm long; ridges prominent: furrows 3-vittate; commissure 4-vittate.

Type: Described form Southern Russia.

Distribution: South Europe, Middle East, Afghanistan, Central Asia, W. Pakistan.

A plant of dry Artemisia and juniperus tracts. This and the following four species are all closely related and sometimes given subspecific or varietal rank under B. falcatum.