Leaves toothed (pinnatifid in forms of P. integrifolium var. mabryanum, the sinuses extending up to 3/4 of the way to the midrib); leaves somewhat thick in texture; pappus of 2-3 weak awns; [native perennials]. Stems with coarse, spreading pubescence 1-3 mm long; cauline leaves all auriculate-clasping, the upper cauline leaves sessile and auriculate-clasping, the lower cauline leaves with winged petioles, the wings expanded at the base; blades of basal leaves 11-18 (-20) cm long, 5-8 cm wide.

Parthenium auriculatum: Britton, Glade Wild Quinine. Pd, Mt (NC, VA): in shallow, xeric, circumneutral soil of glades, barrens, and woodlands, over calcareous rocks (such as dolostone) or mafic rocks (such as diabase); uncommon, rare in NC (NC Rare). Mid May-August. Ne. WV south to c. NC and n. AL, west to c. TN. As indicated by the confusion over its taxonomy, the relationships and appropriate taxonomic treatment of this taxon are unclear. It is clearly a close relative of the Ozarkian P. hispidum Rafinesque, and perhaps not readily distinguished from it; some, at least, of our material has creeping rhizomes and heads over 7 mm in diameter, supposed to be distinguishing features of P. hispidum. [= C, G, K, SE; = P. integrifolium var. auriculatum (Britton) Cornelius ex Cronquist – RAB, Z; = P. hispidum Raf. var. auriculatum (Britton) Rollins – F; < P. integrifolium – FNA, S; < P. hispidum Rafinesque – W; < P. integrifolium – S]

All text taken fromWeakley's Flora