Plants 20-40+ cm (slender). Basal leaves: petiole lengths 1.5-2 times blades; blades broadly lanceolate to ovate, 20-40 × 10-20 mm, margins crenate. Heads 6-12 in open or slightly congested, corymbiform or cymiform arrays. Phyllaries 4-6 mm. 2n = 88, 126, 138.
Flowering early Apr-mid Jun. Damp areas and open prairies; 300-1500 m; Iowa, Kans., Minn., Mo., Nebr., N.Dak., S.Dak.
Variety semicordata resembles var. flavula; it grows in open prairies.