Shrubs, 40-130 cm. Stems branched from bases, densely white-tomentose. Leaves alternate; petioles 0-2 mm; blades 3-nerved from bases, ovate, 10-30 × 5-20 mm, bases obtuse to truncate, margins entire or serrulate, apices acute, faces densely white-tomentose, often gland-dotted. Heads borne singly. Peduncles 30-60 mm, canescent. Involucres campanulate, 15-20 mm. Phyllaries 38-44 in 6-8 series, greenish to purple, 6-9-striate, unequal, margins narrowly scarious-ciliate (faces white tomentose and gland-dotted, apices obtuse to acuminate); outer ovate, inner lanceolate. Florets 45-60; corollas pale yellow or cream, often purple-tinged, 8.5-14 mm. Cypselae 8.5-10 mm, sericeous, gland-dotted; pappi of 42-44 white, barbellate bristles. 2n = 18.

Flowering May-Oct. Sandy and gravelly washes, flats; 300-1600 m; Ariz., Calif., Nev.