Petiole narrow; leaf blade deeply pinnatisect. Involucre 6–10 mm wide, base usually narrowly rounded. Outer phyllaries usually numerous (to 25), deep green to dark green, linear-lanceolate or linear, appressed or loosely so, usually distinctly pale bordered, apex conspicuously horned or corniculate. Ligules usually yellow, rarely whitish. Stigmas yellow to yellowish green. Achene variously colored, straw-colored brown, dark red-brown, ochraceous, or dark blackish gray; body ± densely spinulose above, usually subabruptly narrowing into a usually subcylindric (0.8–)1–1.4(–1.9) mm cone, spinules straight and erect to erect-patent; beak usually 5–7 mm. Pappus white. Sexual or agamospermous.

from: Ge X., Kirschner J. & Štěpánek J. in Wu Z. Y. & al. (ed.), Flora of China 20–21: 291. 2011, Beijing & St Louis.