Usually erect perennial herb to 1 m tall, sparsely to densely hairy. Stems usually branched. Leaves 2 or 3 times divided, petiolate. Capitula radiate or rarely diskoid, solitary at apex of stems, to 3.5 cm across; summer. Ray florets with ligules 4-20 mm long, usually yellow, often fading to cream. Achenes ribbed. Pappus a crown to 0.6 mm high.

Europe, Wand C Asia

An extremely variable species for which a number of subspecies have been recognised. Plants vary mostly in their growth habit, indumentum, presence or absence of ligules and ligule colour.

Often used as a border plant or for cut flowers.

 

Another yellow-flowering species is A. marschalliana Willd. from the Caucasus, which is a cushion-forming herb with divided leaves and solitary capitula to 2.5 cm across. [A. biebersteiniana Adams]

Source: Jeanes, J. (2002). Asteraceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.