Perennial, 15–40 cm high; stems simple or branched, erect to ascending, with sparse septate hairs. Leaves elliptic-oblanceolate, 2–7 cm long, 1–6 mm wide, acute, with septate hairs particularly on upper surface, margins recurved; scarious bracts grading into leaves for 5–20 cm below capitula. Capitula c. hemispherical, 1–2 cm diam. Outer involucral bracts ovate to narrow-ovate, acute, margins shallowly laciniate, almost hyaline, base herbaceous, glandular; inner bracts oblong-linear, acute, herbaceous, with stalked glands, margins and apices narrowly scarious; florets creamy-white to pale yellow. Cypselas fusiform, gradually tapering to obscure beak, papillose, c. 3–5 mm long; pappus white, bristles numerous, barbellate, 5–8 mm long. Flowers Oct.–Jan.
MuM, Wim, VVP, VRiv, GipP, OtP, Gold, CVU, DunT, EGL, EGU, HSF, HNF, MonT, VAlp. Also WA, SA, NSW, Tas. Largely confined in Victoria to eastern uplands (Benambra, Omeo, Wulgulmerang, Corryong areas) where occasional in grassy Eucalyptus pauciflora woodlands. Rare further west (e.g. near Castlemaine) in dry open-forest, formerly known from southern mallee areas (e.g. Jeparit, Nhill), but now possibly extinct there.
