Plants 20-45 cm. Involucres 3.2-4.8 mm. Ray florets 20-41. Cypselae (1-)1.2-1.4 mm; pappi coroniform, indurate, cupuliform, 0.2-0.6 mm, usually minutely ciliate. 2n = 8.
Flowering (Feb-)Apr-Jul(-Sep). Sand and sandy loam, black loam, silt, caliche, rocky limestone soils, stream bottoms, oak-juniper openings, mesquite pastures, roadsides, fencerows, disturbed sites; 900-2500(-4000) m; N.Mex., Okla., Tex.; Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas).