Perennials (possibly flowering first year), 15–40 cm. Stems seldom, if ever, scapiform, branching from bases and/or distally, glabrous or pilosulous proximally. Cauline leaves (1–)3–9+, proximal mostly spatulate or oblanceolate to linear, margins entire, dentate, or pinnately lobed, distal usually narrowly lanceolate to lance-attenuate, margins usually entire or with 1–2 lobes near bases, sometimes pinnately 3–5(–7+)-lobed. Heads (1–)3–5+ in loose, corymbiform arrays. Calyculi: bractlets 3–5+ in 1–2 series, deltate to subulate, 2–5 mm. Involucres ± cylindric, 12–15(–20+) mm. Phyllaries 13–16+. Florets (20–)30–60+; anthers 3.5–4 mm (pollen equatorial diameters unknown). Cypselae: bodies stramineous, 3–4 mm, beaks 6–7 mm; pappi 6–7 mm. 2n = 12.

Flowering May–Sep. Meadows, stream banks, flood plains; 1100–2700 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.

For the present, I concur with D. K. Northington (1974) and I treat Pyrrhopappus rothrockii as distinct from P. pauciflorus.