Stems spreading or erect. Leaves sessile; blades ovate to lanceolate, 18–65 × 7–40 mm, abaxially lanate, adaxially usually glabrous and shiny, rarely sparsely tomentulose, then usually glabrescent. Peduncles 10–50 mm. Phyllaries 6–14, ovate to lanceolate, 5–9 mm. Florets 11–23; corollas pale yellow, 8–11 mm. Cypselae 3–4 mm, 9-nerved, glabrous or strigose; pappi of 80–120 bristles 8–10 mm. 2n = 60.

Flowering summer. Open, usually rocky, places, sometimes on serpentine; 70–2100 m; B.C.; Calif., Oreg., Wash.