Perennials, 40–80 cm (caudices woody). Stems branched, pubescent, gland-dotted. Leaves opposite; petioles 2–4 mm; blades 3-nerved from bases (abaxial venation raised, reticulate), lanceolate to oblong, 35–60 × 10–20 mm, bases acute or rounded, margins serrate, apices acute, faces sparsely to densely pubescent, gland-dotted. Heads borne singly (in axils) or in paniculiform arrays. Peduncles (bracteate) 1–8 mm, densely tomentose. Involucres cylindric to turbinate, 13–15 mm. Phyllaries 34–40 in 6–8 series, greenish to stramineous, 5–8-striate, unequal, margins scarious (ciliate, apices acute); outer ovate to lance-ovate (often villous toward tips), inner lanceolate (glabrous). Florets 19–24; corollas pale yellow, 8–9.5 mm. Cypselae 3.5–4 mm, hirsute; pappi of 26–42 white, barbellate bristles. 2n = 18.

Flowering Apr–Jun. Canyons, open rocky slopes; 1200–1700 m; Ariz.; Mexico.