Perennials, 20-40+ cm. Inter­nodes (± mid stem) 8-12(-16) mm. Leaves: petioles 0-1 mm; blades usually 3-foliolate, simple blades or leaflets entire or each ± pedately lobed with 2-5+, ± oblong to linear lobes 15-30+ × 1-1.5(-2.5+) mm. Peduncles 2-5(-8+) cm. Calyculi of 8 oblong to linear bractlets 1.5-3+ mm. Phyllaries 8, lance-ovate to oblong, 4-5 mm. Ray laminae 10-20+ mm. Disc florets 30-45+; corollas yellow (sometimes drying blackish) or purple, 3-4 mm. Cypselae obovate to oblong, 4-5 mm. 2n = 26.

Flowering Jun-Sep. Openings in woods, sandstone outcrops; 300 m; Ala., Ga.