Perennial of the Caprifoliaceae family (formerly attached to the Dipsacaceae), native to Morocco, where it is confined to the rocky slopes and scree of the High Atlas and Middle Atlas, on well-drained limestone substrates, between approximately 1,500 and 3,000 meters altitude.
It forms very dense, ground-hugging cushions, barely exceeding 5 to 8 cm in height but can spread over a fairly large area. The foliage is finely cut, gray-green to pale green, covered with a silky down that gives it a soft texture and a characteristic ashen hue, very ornamental even when not in bloom.
The solitary capitula, carried by short peduncles barely rising above the foliage, are composed of small lilac-pink to pale pink tubular flowers, the peripheral flowers slightly larger and spread out like a miniature scabious. The protruding stamens give the capitula a vaporous and delicate appearance. In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from June to August depending on the altitude.
In cultivation, it requires full sun, perfect drainage, and poor, stony soil, preferably limestone. It tolerates summer drought well but fears stagnant moisture in winter. It is suitable for cultivation in rock gardens, wall crevices, or alpine troughs.