Perennials, 40-60 cm. Aerial nodes proximal to first peduncle usually 6-10+ cm, upper 1-3 internodes 4-7+ cm. Leaves mostly cauline on proximal 2/3-7/8 of plant height; petioles absent or 10-35+ mm; blades usually 1(or 2)-irregularly pinnately or ± pedately lobed with (3-)5-9+ lobes, rarely simple, simple blades or terminal lobes narrowly lanceolate to linear or filiform, 15-45(-90+) × (0.5-)2-8(-12+) mm. Peduncles 8-15(-25+) cm; calycular bracts lanceolate to linear, 3.5-9+ mm; phyllaries lanceolate-ovate, 7-9(-12) mm. Ray limbs yellow, 12-25+ mm. Disk corollas 3.3-4.8 mm, apices yellow. Achenes 2-3+ mm, wings spreading, ± papery, entire or irregularly toothed to pectinate. Fl. May-Aug. 2n = 26.

Sandy soils, ditches and roadsides, other disturbed sites, granite and sandstone outcrops. Widely cultivated and naturalized in China [native to North America].