Annuals or biennials, 20-150+ cm. Stems erect, stramineous, glabrous (branched distally). Cauline leaf blades oblong to obovate, 30-50(-80) mm, lengths mostly 2-4 times widths, bases ± clasping, margins dentate (teeth apiculate to setose), apices rounded, faces glabrous, obscurely, if at all, gland-dotted. Heads borne singly or in open to crowded, corymbiform arrays. Involucres broadly urceolate, 10-15 × 15-25 mm. Phyllaries in 3-5 series, spreading to appressed, subulate to linear-lanceolate, apices recurved to straight, attenuate, slightly to moderately resinous. Ray florets 25-45; laminae 10-15+ mm. Cypselae whitish to grayish, 2-4 mm, apices smooth or minutely coronate, faces smooth or striate; pappi (persistent or tardily falling) of 25-40 barbellate bristles 3-7+ mm subtending 8-15+ barbellate, setiform awns or subulate scales 7-10 mm (the longer surpassing disc corollas). 2n = 12.

Flowering Aug-Oct. Disturbed sites, prairies, railroads, roadsides; 100-1500 m; Ariz., Ark., Calif., Colo., Ill., Iowa, Kans., La., Mich., Mo., Nebr., N.Mex., Okla., Tex.

From Flora of Indiana (1940) by Charles C. Deam

Indiana Coefficient of Conservatism: C = null, non-native

Wetland Indicator Status: N/A