Cheeseman described the species as follows:
A low robust spreading shrub 1–6 ft. high, rarely more; branches stout, densely tomentose. Leaves crowded at the ends of the branches, 3–7 in. long, 1–4 in. broad, oblong or oblong-ovate or narrow-obovate, obtuse, equal or unequal at the base, quite entire, excessively thick and coriaceous, glabrous and shining above, under-surface thickly clothed with white appressed tomentum, becoming fulvous or red when dry, veins evident on both surfaces; petiole 4-2in. long, stout. Peduncles 1–5 at the ends of the branches, 4–12 in. long, stout, evenly tomentose, naked or with a few foliaceous bracts immediately below the head. Head large, hemispherical, 2-3in. diam.; involucral scales imbricated in many series, tomentose. Ray-florets very numerous; ligules narrow, white. Disc-florets yellow. Pappus of one series of equal scabrid hairs thickened at the tips. Achenes long and slender, silky.[1]
