Growth Habit:  Perennial herb, up to 3 ft. tall, erect, may be in dense clumps. Greyish color.

Leaves:  Alternate, simple, of several types: Upper leaves - small, narrow, unbroken, edge; Stem leaves: intermediate in size, slight toothed margins; Basal leaves: deeply notched.

Stems:  Numerous branches, each ending with a single flower.

Flower:  Single, terminal, lavendar, thistle like, scaly seed head.

Roots:  Dark brown to black and heavily scaled.

Seeds:  Flattened, ivory colored, retained in cup-shaped seed heads.

Other:  Leaves and stems covered with short stiff hairs giving plant an appearance of knap. Spreads by seeds and creeping rootstocks.

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