Plants (30–)40–75 cm; woody roots or caudices with elongate, slender caudex branches. Stems ascending-erect, not wiry or brittle. Phyllaries strigoso-hirsute (hairs white, ascending-appressed, relatively thin-based, gradually and slightly reduced in density from outer to inner phyllaries), eglandular.

Flowering May–Sep. Open, dry slopes and washes; of conservation concern; 300–1600 m; Calif.