Shrubs, 1–5+ dm. Stems 1–5+, erect, unarmed, tomentose to glabrescent. Leaves: primaries linear-subulate, 5–20+ mm, floccose, sometimes glabrate; secondaries linear-filiform, 3–15 mm. Heads 3–7. Peduncles 3–15 mm. Involucres turbinate, 7–10 mm. Phyllaries 4, lanceolate to obovate. Florets 4; corollas cream to bright yellow, 9–10 mm. Cypselae 3–5 mm, hirsute; pappi of 100–130 (distally dilated) bristles 6–8 mm. 2n = 120.

Flowering summer. Pinyon-juniper woodlands, sometimes gypseous soils; 1500–1800 m; N.Mex.