Plants 30–60(–80) cm, usually robust. Stems erect. Basal leaves 100–450 × 20–60 mm. Heads usually borne singly, sometimes 2–3. Involucres 15–20 × 20–60 mm. Ray corollas 13–30 mm. 2n = 12, 24.

Flowering Jul–Oct. Moist, alkaline meadows, openings in pine forest; 1900–2800 m; Colo., N.Mex., Utah, Wyo.

Variety crocea has the largest and most attractive heads in the genus and is often used as an ornamental.