Shrubs, 50–150 cm. Stems 1–5+, erect or spreading, spiny, evenly pannose. Leaves: primaries forming straight, ± squarrose spines, 10–50 mm; secondaries filiform to clavate, 2–12(–20) mm, sparsely arachnose or glabrous. Heads 1–3 (in axils of spines). Peduncles 4–15 mm. Involucres turbinate to campanulate, 7–9 mm. Phyllaries 5, ovate. Florets 5–7; corollas pale yellow, 7.5–9 mm. Cypselae 4.5–5.5 mm, densely pilose (hairs 6–14 mm); pappi of ca. 25, subulate to setiform scales 6–7.5 mm.

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora): w United States.

The two varieties of Tetradymia axillaris are partially sympatric and intergrade in areas of overlap.