Erect, glabrous annual herb, up to c. 1 m tall. Stems sparingly branched above to form infl. Basal and lower cauline lvs 0 or few at flowering, opposite, short-petiolate, 1-2-pinnate, 5-10 cm long; leaflets linear to linear- lanceolate, 1-3-(10) mm wide; upper cauline lvs present, becoming smaller, and with narrower leaflets. Capitula 2.5-4 cm diam., solitary or in loose cymes, pedunculate. Outer involucral bracts green to brown with membranous margin, triangular to subulate, 2-3 mm long, much < 1/2 length of inner bracts; inner bracts with dark lined centre and membranous margins, ovate-triangular. Receptacular scales linear-lanceolate. Ray florets usually 7-9, yellow with reddish brown basal blotch. Disc florets numerous; corolla dark red, 4-toothed. Achenes not seen.