Plants 5–40 cm. Stems erect to decumbent, densely puberulent-hispidulous, hairs spreading to deflexed, 0.1–0.5 mm. Leaves thickened, densely, almost felty gray-hairy. Ray florets (10–)22–44. Pappi coroniform, uneven, often of awn-tipped or ciliate scales, 0.1–0.3 mm. 2n = 6.

Flowering (Feb–)Apr–Dec. Sand dunes near beaches, coastal sands, Rio Grande plains; 0–30 m; Fla., La., Tex.; Mexico (Tamaulipas).

Variety thalassius is found on the Gulf coast; it differs from var. skirrhobasis primarily in vestiture.