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.