Dieteria sessiliflora Nuttall, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., n. s. 7: 301. 1840; Machaeranthera canescens (Pursh) A. Gray var. sessiliflora (Nuttall) B. L. Turner; M. sessiliflora (Nuttall) Greene

Annuals, biennials, or short-lived perennials. Stems 1+, erect, canescent, usually gland-dotted; branches ascending. Mid leaf blades linear-lanceolate to linear. Peduncles 0 (heads sessile) or shorter than involucres. Involucres narrowly to broadly turbinate, 6–10(–12) mm. Phyllaries in 4–7 series, spreading to reflexed, apices often canescent, stipitate-glandular. Ray florets pistillate, fertile. Cypselae sparsely to moderately appressed-hairy.

Flowering Aug–Oct. Flats, canyon slopes; 600–1800 m; Idaho.

Variety sessiliflora is known only along the Snake River and its tributaries.