Biennials or perennials, 30-120 cm (monocarpic; sometimes with sparingly branched, woody caudices). Stems 1-4(-20), usually purple-red-tinted proximally, branched distally, ± hairy. Leaves: blades simple or lobed (lobes 3-9), ± hairy, gland-dotted; mid leaves lobed (lobes 3-5, terminal lobes 0.8-2.2 mm wide). Heads (30-)50-180(-330) per plant, in paniculiform to corymbiform arrays. Peduncles 1.3-5 cm, ± hairy. Involucres subhemispheric to campanulate, 4-7 × 4-8 mm. Phyllaries in 2 series, unequal; outer 8-10, basally connate ¹/3 their lengths, ovate to lanceolate, 2.9-5.5 mm, apices acuminate to acute; inner 8-14, obovate, 2.8-4.2 mm, apices mucronate. Ray florets 7-9; corollas yellow, 4.2-8 × 2.3-5 mm. Disc florets 30-75+; corollas 2.4-3 mm. Cypselae narrowly obpyramidal, 1.6-2.1 mm; pappi of 4-5(-8) usually obovate, sometimes aristate, scales 0.8-2.1 mm. 2n = 30.

Flowering (Jun-)Jul-Aug(-Sep). Roadsides, open areas, edges of juniper-pine forests; of conservation concern; 2000-2400 m; Ariz.

Hymenoxys jamesii is known from the Mogollon Plateau area.