Japan Flora: Stems 70-100 cm. long, cobwebby and short-pubesccnt; lower cauline leaves narrowly oblong-lanceolate, 16-30 cm. long, acuminate, sessile, clasping, deeply pinnatifid, the lobes 8 pairs, ovate- acuminate, 3-lobulate, crispcd-pubescent on upper side, pubes­cent and cobwebby beneath, the spines 3-7 mm. long; heads 1-3 on the branches, nodding at anthesis; involucres globose- campanulate, 1.5-1.7 cm. long, 1.5-2.5 cm. wide, cobwebby; bracts 5-seriate, usually viscid, scarcely spine-tipped, the outer lanceolate, elongate-acuminate, spreading on upper half; co­rolla purplish, about 16 mm. long. Aug. Mountains.

Hon­shu (Akaishi and Shirane Mt. ranges).

var. kurosawae Kitam. Leaves not clasping. Occurs with the typical phase.