This herbaceous plant can reach 1 m in height. The stems of younger plants have stiff, prickly hairs. The stems become smooth with age. Branching varies from one to several. This lobing covers about two-thirds of the blade from the base upwards.
Hairs occur on both surfaces.
The flowers are yellow to white with purple veins in the petals. All the parts of the flower are in fours. The mature, brown pod is jointed with few to several segments. The longitudinal ribs are apparent only at maturity. The seeds are 2-3 mm long and have a thin, brown seed coat.