Saussurea involucrata stems are cylindrical, with yellow-green or yellow-brown surfaces, and some are purplish with longitudinal edges and hollow sections. Cauline leaves are densely arranged, sessile, or shed to leave residues. The intact leaves are oval or broadly lanceolate, both sides are pilose, the edges are serrated and ciliate, and the main veins are obvious. The head is terminal and sessile. The bract leaves are oval or ovoid, sessile, and the middle depression is boat-shaped, membranous and translucent.