Plants 5–25(–40+) cm. Stems proximally piloso-hirsute (hairs 2–4+ mm), distally piloso-hirsute (hairs 1–3+ mm) and stellate-pubescent. Leaves: basal 3–6+, cauline 3–6+; blades oblong to spatulate or oblanceolate, (15–)25–75(–150+) × 6–12(–30+) mm, lengths 3–6+ times widths, bases cuneate, margins usually entire, sometimes denticulate, apices obtuse to acute, faces piloso-hirsute (to lanate, hairs 2–4 mm). Heads (3–)8–25(–100+) in corymbiform to paniculiform arrays. Peduncles usually stellate-pubescent, sometimes piloso-hirsute as well (hairs 1–2 mm). Calyculi: bractlets 5–8+. Involucres ± cylindric to campanulate, 6–9 (× 3–4) mm. Phyllaries 12–15+, apices acute to acuminate, abaxial faces usually densely piloso-hirsute (hairs 1–2+ mm), sometimes stellate-pubescent or glabrous. Florets 6–12(–15+); corollas yellow, 8–9 mm. Cypselae (tan to red-brown) columnar, 3–3.5 mm; pappi of ca. 60+, stramineous bristles in ± 2 series, 4–6 mm.

Flowering (Jun–)Jul–Sep. Boulders, gravels, meadows, pine forests; 1500–3700 m; Calif., Nev., Oreg.