Plants 5-25(-40+) cm. Stems proximally piloso-hirsute (hairs 2-4+ mm), distally piloso-hirsute (hairs 1-3+ mm) and stellate-pubescent. Leaves: basal 3-6+, cauline 3-6+; blades oblong to spatulate or oblanceolate, (15-)25-75(-150+) × 6-12(-30+) mm, lengths 3-6+ times widths, bases cuneate, margins usually entire, sometimes denticulate, apices obtuse to acute, faces piloso-hirsute (to lanate, hairs 2-4 mm). Heads (3-)8-25(-100+) in corymbiform to paniculiform arrays. Peduncles usually stellate-pubescent, sometimes piloso-hirsute as well (hairs 1-2 mm). Calyculi: bractlets 5-8+. Involucres ± cylindric to campanulate, 6-9 (× 3-4) mm. Phyllaries 12-15+, apices acute to acuminate, abaxial faces usually densely piloso-hirsute (hairs 1-2+ mm), sometimes stellate-pubescent or glabrous. Florets 6-12(-15+); corollas yellow, 8-9 mm. Cypselae (tan to red-brown) columnar, 3-3.5 mm; pappi of ca. 60+, stramineous bristles in ± 2 series, 4-6 mm.

Flowering (Jun-)Jul-Sep. Boulders, gravels, meadows, pine forests; 1500-3700 m; Calif., Nev., Oreg.