Plants 30–150 cm. Heads (50–)100–400+. Phyllaries: outer 4, basally connate ¹/2–²/3 their lengths, 4–5 mm, apices obtuse to acute; inner 4, 3.2–4.5 mm, apices acuminate to mucronate. Ray florets 4; corollas 4–5.5 × 2.3–4 mm. Disc florets 7–11. Cypselae 2.5–3 mm, hairs straight to slightly wavy; pappi usually of 3–6 scales 1.2–2.5 mm, sometimes 0 on disc florets. 2n = 30.

Flowering Jun–Nov. Oak-juniper woodlands; of conservation concern; 1300–2200 m; Ariz.

Variety ambigens is known from the Mescal, Pinaleno, and Santa Teresa mountains.