A small 5 – 10  cm tall herb. Leaves linear-lanceolate in outline, 4 – 8  x 0.5 – 1  cm, lobed, lobes linear, 4-9 on each side, terminal lobe longer than lateral, acute; petiole narrowly winged. Scapes densely hairy below capitulum. Capitulum 1 – 2.5  cm across. Involucre phyllaries smooth to callose, inner ones 9 – 12  mm long, green; outer ones appressed, imbricate, 12-15, greenish, 3.5 – 5.5 x 1.5 – 3  mm, ovate, broadly marginate. Ligules yellow, caniculate to tubulose, dark striped outside. Anthers polliniferous, pollen irregular. Style and stigmas yellow, included. Cypselas greyish, spinulose above, 4 – 4.7 mm long; cone 1 – 1.3 mm long, gradually formed, subconical; beak 2 – 3  mm long; pappus 5 – 6  mm long, whitish.