Annual with erect stems, 5-20 cm, usually branched from near base with spreading-erect branches, often purplish, with very short adpressed-retrorse hairs, eglandular. Cauline leaves ovate to rhombic, 12-20 x 6-8 mm, truncate to broad cuneate, irregularly serrate, eglandular pilose; petiole 10-20 mm. Inflorescence of few terminal and lateral ovoid heads, c. 15 mm diameter, subtended by petiolate leaves. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, purplish or green, eglandular-ciliate, as long as calyces. Flowers sessile. Calyx hidden in the heads, 6-8 mm, eglandular pilose and glandular-papillose; teeth subequal 3-4 mm, separated by obtuse sinuses, straight, linear-mucronulate; throat with villous hairs. Corolla 7-9 mm, yellowish, bluish-white to lilac; tube slender included within calyx. Nutlets c. 1.6 x 0.8 mm, pale brown with or without darker mottling, smooth, shiny ellipsoid, with a small lateral attachment scar.

Fl. Per.: May-June

Type: [Iran] Esfahan, Aucher-Eloy 5136 (G, K).

Distribution: Iran, Afghanistan, Soviet Central Asia, Pakistan.

Variable in leaf shape and toothing; the ovoid heads and the petiolate cauline leaves are characteristic for the species.