Biennial. Stems suberect to erect, weakly ribbed, branched, (10)-25-80 cm tall, with lanate to floccose tomentum. Lvs decurrent to form wings on stems, lanate; lower lvs pinnatifid, 6-12 × 1-3 cm, with triangular, oblong or linear, sinuate or lobed segments; upper lvs linear-lanceolate to narrowly triangular, entire or sinuate or toothed. Capitula not clustered. Involucre ovoid, (5)-7-12 mm diam.; outer and middle bracts ovate, not veined, with cobwebby hairs; appendages spreading to reflexed, not covering bracts, spinous, not narrowed at junction with bract, not decurrent on bract; terminal spine 15-25 mm long, shorter on outermost bracts, yellowish; lateral spines 2-(3) on each side, (1)-2-4 mm long, all at base of terminal spine. Florets yellow, all tubular. Corolla eglandular. Achenes 2.5-3 mm long, glabrous; pappus 3-4 mm long.