Senecio eurycephalus Torrey & A. Gray var. major A. Gray in War Department [U.S.], Pacif. Railr. Rep. 4(5): 111. 1857; S. lugens Richardson var. megacephalus Jepson; S. mendocinensis A. Gray; S. whippleanus A. Gray

Herbage usually copiously arachnose, tomentose, or villous at flowering. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline distinctly petiolate; blades (cauline) usually lanceolate to oblanceolate. Heads 6–12(–30+). Phyllaries linear-subulate, 8–12 mm, tips usually green, minutely, if at all, black. Ray florets usually 5; corollas yellow, laminae mostly 5–8 mm.

Flowering spring. Openings in coniferous woodlands and woodland-sagebrush associations; 100–3600 m; Calif., Nev., Oreg.

Variety major is most frequent in the Sierra Nevada, especially on the western slope; eastward, it passes into var. exaltatus.