Shrubs, 30–120 cm. Stems 1–5+, erect (wandlike), unarmed, evenly pannose. Leaves: primaries lance-linear, stiff, pungent, not spinose, 20–60 (× 2–5) mm, tomentose; secondaries (seldom present) spatulate, 8–15 mm, tomentose. Heads 3–6. Peduncles 3–8 mm. Involucres hemispheric, 8 mm. Phyllaries 5–6, oblanceolate. Florets 5–9; corollas yellow to brownish, 8–9 mm. Cypselae ca. 4 mm, copiously pilose (hairs 6–10 mm); pappi 0. 2n = 60.

Flowering spring–summer. Mostly sandy sites, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, sagebrush scrub; 300–1500 m; Calif.; Mexico (Baja California).