Artemisia heptapotamica Poljakov, Bot. Mater. Gerb. Glavn. Bot. Sada R.S.F.S.R. 18: 278. 1957; A. terrae-albae Krascheninnikov var. heptapotamica (Poljakov) Poljakov.

Herbs, perennial, 20-35(-40) cm tall, with a thick rootstock, densely gray arachnoid tomentose, later partly glabrescent. Lower and middle stem leaves: petiole short; leaf blade oblong-ovate or ovate-elliptic, 2-2.5 × 1-1.5 cm, 2-pinnatisect (1(or 2)-pinnatisect in middle leaves); segments 3 or 4(or 5) pairs; lobules linear, 3-5 × 0.3-0.5 mm, acute apically. Upper leaves and leaflike bracts pinnatisect or entire. Synflorescence a somewhat broad and elongated panicle. Involucre oblong or ovoid, 1.5-2.5 mm in diam.; phyllaries sparsely arachnoid pubescent. Florets 3 or 4. Achenes ovoid or obovoid. Fl. and fr. Aug-Oct.

Semidesert and desert steppes; 800-1500 m. N Xinjiang [Kazakhstan].