Stout tufted herb, lf-sheaths densely imbricate along stem. Lamina thick, coriac., ± rigid; ± 10-15 × (3)-5-7 cm., oblong- to ovate-lanceolate to elliptic-oblong, obtuse; upper surface glab. or clad in thin pellicle; lower surface densely clad in soft velvety ferruginous to white tomentum; purple to green midrib and main veins evident to prominent on both surfaces. Margins densely clad in white floccose hairs, obliquely rounded to coriac. purplish sheath ± 8 × 2 cm., at first clad without in white ± floccose tomentum. Scape rather stout, up to c. 20 cm. long, us. clad in dense white floccose tomentum; bracts linear, lower up to c. 8 cm. long. Capitula ± 3-5 cm. diam.; phyll. pale brown, linear-subulate, clad on back with long white floccose hairs, glab. within except towards tips. Ray-florets c. 20-(25) mm. long; tube cylindric, filiform, limb narrow-oblong; disk-florets funnelform to tubular, 6-7 mm. long, teeth narrow-triangular. Achenes subcompressed-cylindric, 4-5 mm. long, with ∞ acute strong ribs bearing a few stiff hairs. Pappus-hairs rather sordid-white, finely barbellate, up to c. 7 mm. long.

n = 54 + 3f

Plant of few to numerous rosettes. Leaf lamina (6)-10-18-(22) cm long, glabrate above when mature, except for a marginal rim of brown hairs, tomentum beneath often lustrous, veins obvious, base obliquely cuneate; petiole usually < ¼ length of lamina, deep purple. Phyllaries buff tomentose. Capitulum up to 6 cm diam. n = 54 + 3f.