Plants 2–5(–8+) dm. Stems ± pannose. Leaves mostly cauline; blades linear, 5–8 cm × 2–4 mm, l/w = 17–25(–40), abaxially densely sericeo-tomentose, adaxially usually glabrate, sometimes sparsely arachno-tomentose. Heads in corymbiform arrays. Peduncles 5–35 mm. Involucres ± obconic to campanulate, 6–10 × 5–8 mm. Phyllaries 40–50+ in 5–6+ series, sericeo-tomentose, including margins, the outer lance-ovate, 1–2 mm, the inner lanceolate to lance-linear, 6–7(–9+) mm, tips acute. Florets 12–24+. Cypselae 3–4 mm; pappi stramineous to purplish, outer scales 20+, 0.6–1.1 mm, contrasting with 20+, 6–7+ mm inner bristles. 2n = 34.

Flowering Jun–Aug. Calcareous soils, rocky banks; 300 m; Ark., Tex.; Mexico (Coahuila).