Much-branched annual with stems to c. 50 cm tall; stem wings 3-4, 1-2 mm wide towards base, ciliate. Rosette lvs to c. 20 × 4 cm, lyrate-pinnatifid; terminal lobe largest, rounded; sinuses and lateral lobes rounded or obtuse; margins and midrib long-ciliate. Stem lvs usually 3 per node, 1.5-4 cm long, linear, ± entire; margins long-ciliate, sometimes sparingly. Scale reddish and strongly ciliate. Infl. secund, dense; wing of spikelet 1-2.5 cm × 4-8 mm, rigid, oblanceolate or elliptic, ciliate, 3-lobed with apices spiny. Inner bract sheathing, with 3 apical spines. Calyx 8-12 mm long; tube slightly < limb, hispidulous; limb yellow, scarious, campanulate with erose margin. Corolla > calyx; claw long; limb pale yellow with broad obovate 2-fid lobes.