Leaves: largest oblanceolate to narrowly spatulate, widest in distal ¹/3, (10-)15-20 × 3-5 mm, ± plane; longest distal capitular leaves 1.3-2 times head heights, obtuse. Heads in glomerules of (8-)12-16(-20), ± bipyramidal, largest 5-7 × 2.5-4 mm; largest glomerules 11-15 mm diam. Receptacles filiform-cylindric. Pistillate paleae (except innermost) (15-)20-25 in (3-)4-5 series, vertically ranked, carinate in cross section, longest 4.5-6 mm; wings uniformly yellowish, apices recurved. Innermost paleae pistillate and often bisexual, surrounding 8-13 florets. Pistillate florets: outer (15-)20-25 epappose, inner 2-7 pappose. Bisexual florets 5-9(-11). 2n = 28 (Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Yugoslavia).

Flowering and fruiting late Apr-mid Aug. Mediterranean and cold-temperate climates, dry, open, sometimes rocky slopes, disturbed sites (chaparral burns, roadsides); 10-800 m; introduced; B.C.; Calif.; Eurasia; n Africa; Atlantic Islands; Australia.

Variety pyramidata is also introduced in Australia.