Perennials, 12-30 cm (caudices woody). Stems branched, pubescent. Leaves opposite; petioles 0-1 mm; blades 3-nerved from bases, deltate-ovate to lanceolate, 7-30 × 4-28 mm, bases mostly obtuse to sub-truncate, sometimes acuminate, margins serrate, apices acute, faces puberulent, gland-dotted. Heads borne singly or in corymbiform-paniculiform arrays. Peduncles 10-30 mm, puberulent. Involucres cylindric to campanulate, 8-12 mm. Phyllaries 12-15 in 3-5 series, greenish, often purple-tinged, 5-7-striate, unequal, margins scarious (apices acute); outer ovate to lance-ovate (puberulent, margins ciliate), inner narrowly lanceolate (glabrous). Florets 8-14; corollas pale green or yellow, 5.5-6.5 mm. Cypselae 4.5-5 mm, densely pubescent; pappi of 24-30 white, usually barbellate, sometimes subplumose, bristles. 2n = 18.

Flowering Aug-Oct. Limestone or granitic cliffs; 1500-2500 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.