Japan Flora: Stems 1-2 m. long, pubescent; median cauline leaves oblong-lanceolate, 15- 25 cm. long, long^acuminate, slightly narrowed at base, some­times white-variegated, glabrous or crisped-pubescent above, pubescent on nerves beneath, clasping, pinnatifid, the lobes 4-6 pairs, lanceolate, acuminate, spines stout, 3-4(10) mm. long; heads small, many, in spikelike fascicles, usually erect; involu­cres cobwebby, tubular, 1.6-1.9 cm. long, 2-2.5 cm. wide; bracts 8-seriate, sometimes slightly viscid on back, the outer very short, ovate, acute, the median appressed, narrowly ob­long, acute to obtuse, spine-tipped; corollas purplish, 16-18 mm. long. Aug.-Nov. Mountains.

Honshu (Kinki Distr. and westw.), Kyushu.