Plant 3–5 dm, ± tomentose, often becoming glabrous. Leaves basal > cauline; blade 20–40 cm, oblanceolate to widely obovate, base acuminate to obtuse. Inflorescence: peduncle 1–10 cm, leafy-bracted; involucre ± 2 cm diam, ± bell-shaped; phyllaries generally few, ± equal, 15–35 mm, oblong-lanceolate, acute to obtuse; chaff scales 15–16 mm. Ray flowers 5–11; ligules 30–45 mm. Disk flowers: corollas 10 mm. Fruit 9–11 mm; upper half puberulent to tomentose; pappus of short scales, < 1 mm, sometimes also 1–few lanceolate scales < 8 mm

Antiphlogistic, diaphoretic, emetic and febrifuge (root)

Plants For A Future

A decoction of roots is as a blood tonic and also in the treatment of tuberculosis, venereal diseases, colds and fevers. A poultice of the crushed roots has been applied to swellings. A poultice of the crushed leaves has been applied to sprains, swellings and broken bones.