Stems tomentulose, glabrescent. Leaves: basal with petioles 3-12 cm, narrowly winged, blades 8-15 × 1-5 cm; cauline sessile, ± clasping, blades 5-12 × 1-3 cm. Involucres 25-45 × 25-45 mm. Phyllaries: outer 15-35+ mm, foliaceous portions elliptic to spatulate or linear, margins ± spiny, inner oblong to linear, 10-15+ mm, margins mostly entire, tips spiny. Corollas 15-25+ mm (outer) or 12-15+ mm (inner). Cypselae 5-8 mm; pappi 8-12 mm. 2n = 14.

Flowering Jun-Sep. Openings in woodlands, bogs; 10-100 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., S.C.