Stem base highly shortened, not fleshy, shortly cylindric. Basal and lower cauline leaves yellow, pink, purplish, or red, rarely green, numerous, overlapping and forming a loose head. Axillary leafy buds not forming heads. Inflorescence neither fleshy nor condensed into a head. Flowers yellow. 2n = 18*.

Cultivated primarily as an ornamental for its colored heads. Precise distribution in China unknown [widely cultivated elsewhere].