Shrubs, 20–120 cm. Stems 1–3+, erect, unarmed, pannose but for glabrescent streaks. Leaves: primaries linear-subulate, ascending to appressed, 5–20 (× 1+) mm, sparsely floccose, sometimes glabrate; secondaries linear-filiform to clavate, 3–15 mm, glabrous. Heads 3–7. Peduncles 3–15 mm. Involucres turbinate, 7–10 mm. Phyllaries 4, lanceolate to obovate. Florets 4; corollas cream to yellow, 9–10 mm. Cypselae 2.5–3.5 mm, hirsute; pappi of 100–130 bristles 6–8 mm. 2n = 60, 62, 120, 180.

Flowering spring–early summer. Sagebrush scrub, pinyon-juniper woodlands, Joshua tree woodlands; 800–2400 m; Calif., Idaho, Nev., Oreg., Utah.