Pinnae 8-15 pairs; proximal ones distant, distal ones us. overlapping; secondary pinnae up to 9 per pinna, oblong or obovate, upturned. Lower bracts on peduncle almost as divided as leaves, upper bracts simple or with few divisions. Involucre hemispherical; outer phyllaries us. pinnatifid, with up to 6 pairs of oblong lobes. Receptacle convex. Florets dark red; upper part of corolla almost black, lower part and ovary wine red; stigmas of pistillate and staminate florets not exserted far beyond the corolla, retracted into the corolla tube after anthesis (and during drying of specimens).