A common species, coarse, rather tall, limit 6 feet, with spreading, recurving, 1-sided racemes of flowers, making a large, showy panicle. Leaves, 3-ribbed, lance-shaped, rough-ish, toothed, sessile above, petioled below, thin. Heads small, subtended by pale, almost straw-color bracts. August to November.

Dry soil, in open places.