Erect or ascending perennial herb (11–)25–60 cm high; branches moderately pubescent with spreading or appressed hairs. Leaves 11–29-foliolate, narrowly obovate to oblanceolate, mostly 8–12 cm long; leaflets obovate, the largest 5–22 mm long, 3–10 mm wide, margins deeply lobed or serrate, flat or recurved, upper surface moderately appressed-pilose, lower surface densely and evenly appressed-pilose; stipules linear, lanceolate or triangular, 1–5 mm long. Inflorescence an interrupted cylindric spike, or rarely in heads with several flower clusters below; peduncles pilose; sepals 4–5; stamens 3–4(–5), dark purple; style 1. Fruiting hypanthia ovoid, not ribbed, glabrous or pilose; spines 18–35, unequal, 3–6 spines 2–4 mm long, 15–30 spines 0.5–2 mm long, not thickened at base. Flowers and fruits Sep.–Apr.