Stoloniferous perennial; prostrate stems 1 mm diam., < 30 cm long; erect stems 1 mm diam., < 5 cm long. Lvs 1.5–7 cm long; stipules entire or 2–3–(5)-fid; leaflets 7–9; distal 3 leaflets suborbicular, 5–10–(20) × 4–10–(15) mm, 11–15-toothed, pale subglaucous on both surfaces, sparsely hairy on upper surface, silvery with appressed hairs on lower surface; teeth acute, not deeply incised, often red-brown; basal leaflets remote, much reduced in size or linear. Scape (5)–7–10 cm long, pilose; capitulum 7–9 mm diam. at flowering, 10–15 mm diam. (including spines) at fruiting; florets c. 40; sepals 4; stamens 2; anthers white; style 1, white; achene 1. Fr. obconic, c. 2 × 1.5 mm, hairy; spines 4, pale brown, c. 4 mm long, barbed.
[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]
Flowering: Nov.–Dec.; Fruiting: Jan.–Feb.