An erect perennial, up to 40 cm tall, subglabrous to puberulous Basal leaves lanceolate to more or less spathulate, 3-8(-9) cm long, 2-7 cm broad, puberulous; the leaves often lobed to pinnatipartite, upper smaller and narrower. Flowers in radiant capitate heads, arranged in arrested biparous cymes; heads few-flowered, 0.8-1.2(-1.4) cm broad. Involucral bracts ovate or elliptic-ovate, 2-3.5 mm long, villous; calyx setae brown, in fruit 4.5-6 mm long, usually not exceeding the corolla. Involucel turbinate, 3 mm long, adpressed hairy, upper half with 8 prominent conical pits, c. 1.3 mm long; corona c. 2.5 mm long, with 18-24 pubescent nerves.

Fl.Per.: April-August.

Type: “in Emodo Nepaliae ad Kamaon,” Wallich..

Distribution: Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Himalayas.

This plant can be recognised by its basal rosette of lanceolate-spathulate leaves; grows in the dry foothill zone and usually found on dry slopes or near field borders. There appears to be a recognizable local form of this species with shorter stems, more compact habit and much divided or lobed leaves.