Stems 0.5-1 m tall, erect, sulcate-striate, upper surface cobwebby pilose to densely villous. Radical leaves lanceolate, 15-30 cm long, apex acuminate, base subsessile or narrowed into winged spinose petiole, pinnatifid, segments (6-)8-9, 5-12 mm long, puberulous or glabrate on both surfaces; cauline leaves gradually smaller, lanceolate, apex acuminate, base broadly auriculate-amplexicaul, pinnatifid, spines on margins 6-12 mm long. Heads solitary or 2 or 3 congested, terminating branches, short pedunculate, 2.5-3.5 cm across; involucre campanulate, 15-19×20-30 mm, bracts 6-seriate, outer ones shorter, linear-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, inner bracts often purple in purple flowered plants; corolla dark purple, purple, or yellowish white, 11-16 mm long, limb shorter than tube. Achenes oblong, 2.5 mm long, compressed, obscurely 4-ribbed. Chromosome number, 2n = 34 (Peng & Hsu, 1978).

MIAOLI: Kuanwu to Leshan, Peng 9416. TAICHUNG: Hsuehshan, Peng 9661. NANTOU: Patungkuan to Tungpu, Chen 1001; Mayfeng, Peng 9132. CHIAYI: Tatachia to Paiyunshanchuang, Peng 8938, 8996. PINGTUNG: Wutai, Chihpenchushan, Lin 394. TAITUNG: Takuanshan, Peng 11815. HUALIEN: Songhsuehlou to Tayuling, Peng 13132; Kuayuan to Pilu, Peng 9175.

Endemic; meadows and ridges on mountain peaks, 2,300-3,500 m.