Plants 10-35(-45+) cm. Stems proximally stellate-pubescent, rarely piloso-hirsute (hairs 1-3+ mm), distally usually densely, sometimes sparsely, stellate-pubescent. Leaves: basal 5-8+, cauline 2-3(-5+); blades spatulate to oblanceolate, 35-80(-150) × 8-15(-25) mm, lengths 2.5-5 times widths, bases ± cuneate, margins usually entire, rarely denticulate, apices rounded to acute, abaxial faces piloso-hirsute (hairs 2-3+ mm) and stellate-pubescent, sometimes stipitate-glandular as well, adaxial piloso-hirsute (hairs 2-3+ mm) and stellate-pubescent. Heads (3-)8-25(-50+) in paniculiform arrays (divaricately branched). Peduncles densely to sparsely stellate-pubescent. Calyculi: bractlets 3-5+. Involucres cylindric, 9-12 mm. Phyllaries 7-8+, apices rounded to obtuse, abaxial faces sparsely to densely stellate-pubescent. Florets 4-10(-15+); corollas yellow, 8-10 mm. Cypselae columnar, 4-5 mm; pappi of 60-80, white or stramineous to rufous bristles in 2+ series, 7-9 mm.

Flowering Jul-Sep. Openings in conifer forests, serpentines; 900-2400 m; Calif., Oreg.