The biological form of Rhaponticum scariosum is hemicryptophyte scapose,[1] as its overwintering buds are situated just below the soil surface and the floral axis is more or less erect with a few leaves.

[1] The strong, thick, upright stem is leafy and hairy, woolly-tomentose and usually has only one inflorescence.

[1] The flower heads are pink to purple, spherical and very large (about 6–7 centimetres (2.4–2.8 in) in diameter).

This quite rare plant occurs in Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.

This plant prefers slightly moist and mostly calcareous soils, at altitudes from 750 to 2500 meters.