Annuals, to 70 cm. Leaves linear or pinnately lobed, 25–35 mm, lobes 5–9, linear (each with oil-gland at base). Peduncles 3–6 cm. Calyculi of 3–5 subulate bractlets 3–5 mm (eglandular). Involucres broadly campanulate to obconic, 7–8 mm. Phyllaries 8–13, narrowly to broadly oblanceolate, remaining connate in fruit. Ray florets usually 8; corollas yellow-orange; tubes 3 mm, laminae 2 × 1 mm. Disc florets 30–50; corollas pale yellow, often tipped with crimson, 4–5 mm. Cypselae 3.5–4.5 mm; pappi of 10 outer, erose scales 0.7–1 mm plus 10 inner, unequally 3-aristate scales 5–6.5 mm. 2n = 14.

Flowering fall. Wettish sites in otherwise arid areas, coarse, sandy alluvium; 1500–2600 m; Ariz., N.Mex.; Mexico (Chihuahua).