Franseria eriocentra A. Gray, Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 7: 355. 1868

Shrubs, 30–80(–120+) cm. Stems erect. Leaves mostly alternate; petioles 0–2 mm; blades (± white abaxially) elliptic, lance-linear, or rhombic, 10–40(–60) × 5–15(–40) mm, bases ± cuneate, margins irregularly toothed to ± laciniate, abaxial faces densely strigillose, adaxial faces tomentulose and pilosulous. Pistillate heads clustered, proximal to staminates; florets 1. Staminate heads: peduncles 0–0.5 mm; involucres saucer-shaped to shallowly cup-shaped, 4–8+ mm diam., tomentulose and/or pilose; florets 12–25+. Burs: bodies obconic to fusiform, 3–5+ mm, densely villous and stipitate-glandular, spines 12–20+, scattered or mostly distal, ± subulate, 3–4 mm, tips straight. 2n = 36.

Flowering Apr–May(–Jul). Sandy and gravelly washes; 700–1700 m; Ariz., Calif., Nev., Utah.