Perennials, 20–60+ cm. Internodes (± mid stem) 15–40(–60) mm. Leaves: petioles 0–1 mm; blades usually 3-foliolate, simple blades or leaflets entire or each ± pedately divided with 3–9+, ± linear to filiform lobes 5–25(–45+) × 0.5–1(–2) mm. Peduncles 2–5(–8+) cm. Calyculi of 8 linear bractlets 3–5(–9) mm. Phyllaries 8, lance-ovate, 6–7 mm. Ray laminae 12–20+ mm. Disc florets 30–40+; corollas yellow (sometimes drying blackish), 3.5–5.5 mm. Cypselae obovate to oblong, 3.5–4 mm. 2n = 26, 52, 78.

Flowering Jun–Jul(–Aug). Oak wood, sandy soils; 10–500 m; Ont., Que.; Ala., Ark., Conn., D.C., Fl., Ga., Ky. Md., Mass., Miss., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, S.C., Tenn., Va., W.Va.