Plants 30–40+ cm. Heads 35–100+. Phyllaries: outer 5, basally connate ²/3–³/4 their lengths, 4–4.5 mm, apices obtuse to acuminate to acute; inner 5, 2.5–3 mm, apices rounded to obtuse to weakly acute or mucronate. Ray florets 4–5; corollas 3.4–4.2 × 1.7–2.2 mm. Disc florets 8–15. Cypselae 1.7–2.3 mm, hairs moderately wavy; pappi usually of 2–4 scales 1.2–2 mm, sometimes 0 on disc florets.

Flowering Jul–Sep. Open woodlands; of conservation concern; 1600–1900 m; N.Mex.

Variety neomexicana is known from the Animas and Peloncillo mountains.