Tufted, stemless plant up to 20cm. Leaves variable, narrow and strap-like or pinnately divided (sometimes on the same plant) green, smooth or bristly above and pale woolly below; large (up to 9cm across), solitary bright orange-yellow flowers borne on hairy stalks up to 30cm long; flowers arise from a firm, smooth or bristly cup of several rows of bracts, the innermost slightly papery-edged.

Latin: pecten, a comb: referring to the comb-like structure of some of the leaves