HABIT	A RIGID, PUBESCENT, ANNUAL HERB, UP TO 1 M TALL.
STEMS	ERECT WITH BRANCHES WIDELY SPREADING FROM THE BASE.
LEAVES	ALTERNATE, SESSILE, 7.5-12.5 CM LONG, OBLONG, PINNATIFID, COVERED WITH COTTONY WOOL BENEATH, THE LOBES TRIANGULAR AND OBLONG, SINUATE AND SPINY, THE SPINES OFTEN 2.5 CM LONG.
FLOWERS	FLOWER HEADS WHITE OR PURPLE, COMPACT, GLOBOSE, 2.5-3.8 CM IN DIAMETER, CLUSTERED AT THE ENDS OF THE BRANCHES.
FRUITS	ACHENES 4 MM LONG, DENSELY VILLOUS; PAPPUS SHORT, YELLOWISH, FORMING A SHORT CYLINDRICAL BUSH ABOVE THE ACHENE.