Growth form This erect, rhizomatous shrub grows up to tall. Roots grow from trailing branches and many short shoots. The branches are rigid and have a diameter of up to . Secondary branches develop on the leaf axils on the main stem and have a diameter of up to . Brachyblasts (shoots) grow in the leaf axils of the secondary branches. These typically grow up to long and secondary brachyblasts are rare. They are white when young.
Leaves The triangular leaves grow closely against the branches and are woolly on the upper surface. Only one flower head is found at the tip of a branch. They grow on short shoots. The outermost of the surrounding bracts are green around the midrib and translucent towards the tips. The innermost bracts are the largest at about twice the length of the outermost bracts and have rough hairs along the margins. The upper half is transparent. The ray florets are white in colour and are female. The tips have between one and three lobes. The disc florets are white and bisexual. They are often tinged pink below the lobes. There are five lobes and these are often asymmetrical.
Fruit and seeds The fruits a-re
cypselas. They are about , greyish and inconspicuously ribbed. They develop in three to five of the florets, most commonly in the ray florets. They have 18-25 pappus bristles. == Distribution and habitat ==