Rhizomatous, erect herbs, stem stout not much branched, entirely cottony or woolly, 25-50 cm long. Leaves elliptic densely tomentose below, less on the upper surface, subamplexicaul, mucronate, lower ones 3-5-(-7)-veined, 40-60 mm, with or without distinct petiole, upper ones 12-15 x 4-10 mm. Capitula usually more than 15 per inflorescence; phyllaries white or pale white, shiny, sparsely glabrous, 5-6-seriate, 2.5-5 x 0.5-1.8 mm, outer and middle ovate-lanceolate, subacute to acuminate. In predominantly male capitula bisexual florets (functionally male) 25 and female florets 5, in female or predominantly female capitula either all florets female, filiform or female florets 60-70, filiform and bisexual florets (functionally male) 8-10. Corolla of bisexual florets tubular, lobes glandular, 2-3 mm long. Cypselas of female florets oblong, papillose, that of bisexual florets oblong, papillose, 0.7-1 mm long, pappus setae 3-3.5 mm long.