Rather small tufted herb with lf-sheaths densely imbricate along stem. Lamina very coriac. ± 5-15 × (1·5) ×3-4-(6) cm., ovate- to obovate-oblong to ovate-lanceolate (several forms often occur on a single plant); upper surface glab., ± plicate, or with a silvery pellicle; lower surface clad in closely appressed silvery satiny tomentum, midrib and lateral veins obvious; apex acute to subacuminate; margins recurved, entire or minutely distantly denticulate, rather abruptly narrowed to petiole c. 2 cm. long, clad in snow-white deciduous tomentum. Sheath c. 6 cm. long, clad in floccose white hairs. Scape c. 15-25 cm. long, clad in white floccose hairs; bracts ∞, up to c. 2 cm. long, linear, acuminate. Capitula 2.5-4 cm. diam.; phyll. linear-subulate, ± acuminate, up to c. 16 × 2 mm., with a few hairs, midrib distinct. Ray-florets several to many, ± 12 mm. long, with linear limb; disk-florets ∞, c. 7 mm. long, narrow-funnelform, teeth triangular, acute. Achenes narrow-cylindric, grooved, c. 3 mm. long, with scattered ± patent hairs to almost glab. Pappus-hairs white to sordid-white, up to ± 6 mm. long, hardly barbellate.

n = 54

2n = 108

Woody-based herb with branchlets arising from a sparsely multicipital stock, usually close to the soil surface; living leaves in rosettes at the tips of branchlets, the whole plant forming a clump of 1-3- 8) rosettes; leaf sheaths densely imbricate and compacted, forming a pseudo-stem. Leaf lamina (5)-8- 12—(13) × 1.5-3.5 cm, coriaceous and rigid, all but the oldest leaves erect, lanceolate-ovate; upper surface sulcate, finely wrinkled when dry, concolorous, yellowish green, usually glabrous; lower surface densely covered in glistening appressed tomentum, usually silvery when fresh but buff in dried specimens, midrib prominent and purple; tip acute; margins entire, recurved; base usually cordate; petiole up to 6 cm long, purple. S heath up to 7 × 2.5 cm, purple, clad in floccose, white hairs. Scape purple, clad in floccose, white hairs, up to 25 cm long; bracts several in upper part, erect, linear; monocephalous. Ray florets c. 40, ligulate, the limb linear, white. Disc florets c. 60, 5 mm long, funneliform, yellow, tube with eglandular biseriate hairs. Achene fusiform-cylindric, obscurely grooved, 3-5 mm long, hairs scattered to dense in upper half; hairs short, appressed, bifid. Pappus unequal, 5-6 mm long, of 25-30 barbellate bristles.