Plants up to 1 m tall. Stem glabrous, striate, upper shoots tomentose. Leaves lanceolate, margin spinose to sinuate; radical leaves 8-20 cm long, cauline similar, opposite or whorled. Involucral bracts broadly ovate acuminate, leafy, 3-4 cm long, pubescent, villous at the base. Flowers white, turning pink. Involucel campanulate, 7-8 mm long, vinous. Calyx 2-lobed, pubescent; lobes acute or obtuse, venose. Corolla tube 2.5-2.7 cm long, pubescent; lobes obtuse, 6-7 mm long. Filaments hairy near the base of the anthers, much shorter than the corolla lobes. Achene c. 3.5 mm long.

Fl.Per.: July-August.

Type: “in Nepalia ad Gossainthan et Emodum,” Wallich..

Distribution: Himalayas in India and Pakistan.

Fairly common on alpine meadows from 3000-4600 m.