Densely tufted, perennial, herbs, (5-) 8-25 cm high, white tomentose, densely covered by old leaf bases below. Basal leaves clustered, oblong spathulate, sometimes brown apiculate, 1-7 x 0.2-0.5 (-0.75) mm, cauline leaves 1.8-6 cm long, oblong lanceolate to spathulate, very obtuse to subacute. Capitula 5-7 (-10), clustered or in terminal corymbs, 5-8 mm in diameter. Inflorescence bracts 13-35 mm long, ovate to linear-lanceolate 1-2 x diameter across capitula, basal half or at least of upper face more densely white or yellowish grey tomentose than the cauline leaves; phyllaries oblong 3-6 x 1-2 (-25) mm with broad brown scarious margin. Corollas 3-4 mm long. Cypselas 1.5-2 mm, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, rudimentary ovaries in male florets always glabrous.

Fl.Per.: July-September.

Type: in Indiae orient. provincies. bor. occidentalibus, Royle (G-DC).

A plant of higher altitude, grows from 2500-4500 m on open moist slopes, meadows and near streams; Distribution: Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia.