Perennial with woody rootstock < 1 cm diam.; branches ascending or spreading, 1–3 mm diam., 5–15 cm long. Lvs 2–7 cm long, glabrous; stipules entire or 3–(5)-fid; leaflets 9–13, obovate, 4–6 × 6–9 mm, 7–9-toothed, bright green and shining on upper surface, subglaucous on lower surface; teeth deeply incised, often red. Scape 3–9 cm long, glabrous; capitulum 7–9 mm diam. at flowering, < 15 mm diam. at fruiting; florets > 100; sepals 4; stamens 2; anthers usually white, very rarely red; style 1, white; achene 1. Fr. obtriangular by the enlargement of 2 opposite wings, c. 5 × 4 mm, glabrous; spines 2, not barbed, enclosed in wings.
[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]
Flowering: Dec.–Jan.; Fruiting: Jan.–Mar.