A perennial herb , 50–200 cm tall. Rhizomes short, with numerous fibrous roots. Stems erect, purplish red, usually simple or corymbose inflorescence branched in upper part, white crisped-puberulent, more dense on inflorescence branches, glabrescent or sparsely hairy in lower part. Leaves opposite; petiole 1–2 cm, rather thick; median stem leaves elliptic, narrowly elliptic, ovate-elliptic, or lanceolate, 6–20 × 2–6.5 cm, pinnately veined, lateral veins 7-paired, abaxially prominent, base broad or narrow, margin sometimes 3-partite, apex acuminate; basal stem leaves withered by anthesis; upper leaves smaller, homomorphic with median leaves; both surfaces scabrid, crisped-villous or puberulent and yellow glandular, more densely hairy abaxially on veins and on petiole; margin coarsely or double-serrate. Capitula apically densely corymbose, inflorescence usually 3–6 cm in diam., rarely forming a large compound corymbose inflorescence to 20 cm in diam. Involucre campanulate, 5–6 mm, 5-flowered; phyllaries imbricate, 3-seriate; outer ones very short, 1–2 mm, lanceolate; median and inner ones gradually longer, 5–6 mm, lanceolate, narrowly elliptic, or elliptic-lanceolate, green or purple-tinged, apex obtuse or rounded. Florets white, red-purple, or pink; corolla ca. 5 mm, with dense yellow glands. Achenes black-brown, elliptic, ca. 3.5 mm, 5-angled, with many yellow glands, glabrous. Pappus white, ca. 5 mm.

Anodyne, antibacterial, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, nervine and vermifuge (leaves and stems); restorative (root)

Flora of China

The leaves and stems are taken internally in the treatment of indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, feverish colds etc. The root is considered to be beneficial to the circulation and a restorative to women after parturition. The herbage, soaked in oil, is applied to the hair as a treatment for dandruff.