Perennials, 10-30(-40+) cm (caudices often woody). Cauline leaves mostly crowded over proximal ¹/4(-¹/2) of plant heights, internodes mostly 1-5(-35 mm); lobes mostly oblanceolate to linear, (5-)10-35(-45+) × (1-)2-3(-5) mm. Calyculi of 7-9 deltate to lance-linear bractlets 2-4+ mm. Ray florets 0, or 8; laminae yellow, (6-)12-20+ mm. Disc corollas yellow, sometimes with red-brown nerves, throats equal to or longer than lobes. Cypselae 5-7 mm; pappi usually 0, rarely 0.1-0.5 mm. 2n = 22, 24.

Flowering May-Sep. Openings in pinyon/juniper or yellow-pine forests, often on talus or 'balds'; 1000-2900 m; Alta.; Ariz., Colo., Mont., Nev., N.Mex., N.Dak., Utah, Wyo.

As here circumscribed, Thelesperma subnudum includes plants that have been treated as distinct species and/or varieties (some of which have been treated as of conservation concern). See C. J. Hansen et al. (2002) for an alternate interpretation of T. subnudum.