Perennials, 15-45 cm (bases woody, enlarged, occasionally rhizomatous). Stems erect (clustered from bases), puberulent to pubescent (often with some glandular hairs distally). Leaves opposite proximally, alternate on at least distal ¹/2 of stems; petioles 4-6 mm; blades (venation raised-reticulate) orbiculate (juvenile) or deltate-ovate, 1.5-3 × 1-2 cm, (subcoriaceous) bases obtuse to truncate, margins entire or coarsely serrate to dentate, apices acute to acuminate, abaxial faces ± gland-dotted and/or stipitate-glandular. Heads mostly borne singly (each often subtended by a leaflike bract). Peduncles (0-)2-15 mm, puberulent and stipitate-glandular. Involucres 10-11 mm. Phyllaries: apices acute, abaxial faces sparsely puberulent. Corollas white, glabrous. Cypselae hispidulous. 2n = 34.

Flowering Jun-Oct. Cracks and crevices of nearly vertical limestone cliffs; 400-1800 m; Calif.

Ageratina shastensis is recognized by relatively large solitary heads and coarsely serrate, subcoriaceous leaves alternate on distal parts of stems.