Shrubs, 10–120 cm. Stems 1–5+, erect, spiny, pannose but for glabrescent streaks. Leaves: primaries forming straight or recurved spines, 5–25 mm; secondaries spatulate, 10–20 mm, tomentose to nearly glabrous. Heads 4–6. Peduncles 2–12 mm. Involucres turbinate to cylindric, 6–9 mm. Phyllaries 4, oblong. Florets 4; corollas bright yellow, 8–10 mm. Cypselae 4–6 mm, densely hirsute; pappi of 75–100 bristles 9–10 mm. 2n = 60.

Flowering spring–summer. Rocky or sandy places, sagebrush scrub or shadscale scrub; 1300–2100 m; Nev., Utah, Wyo.