Shrubs, 100–150 cm. Stems (ascending) branched, pubescent, sometimes glandular-pubescent. Leaves alternate; petioles 4–10 mm; blades 3-nerved from bases, rhombic-ovate, 10–40 × 10–20 mm, bases cuneate, margins laciniate-dentate, apices acute to obtuse, faces glabrate or gland-dotted. Heads in dense, paniculiform arrays. Peduncles 5–40 mm, pubescent. Involucres narrowly campanulate, 7–11 mm. Phyllaries 35–40 in 5–7 series, 3–5-striate, unequal, (glabrous, ± chartaceous) margins narrowly scarious (apices acute to acuminate); outer ovate, inner lanceolate. Florets 16–17; corollas cream, 6–7 mm. Cypselae 2–3 mm, pubescent; pappi of 18–24 white, barbellate bristles. 2n = 18.

Flowering Oct–Apr. Sandy to granitic soils, limestone slopes, granitic cliffs; of conservation concern; 500–1600 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.