The leaves are found in groups at the tips of the branchlets, forming either a loose mat or a single rosette.

The leaves are elliptic or oblong in shape, with a pale to mid-green upper surface that may be covered in fine hairs when young.

The fruit is an achene that is fusiform-cylindric and ribbed, and the pappus consists of bristles of unequal length.

Where there is more than 2500 mm yearly rainfall it is commonly found in open grasslands but where there is less precipitation it is typically confined to cool south-facing, constantly moist sites.

[5] The specific epithet verbascifolia means "mullein-leafed" in other words having leaves similar to Verbascum.