Stems spreading or erect. Leaves sessile; blades ovate to lanceolate, 18-65 × 7-40 mm, abaxially lanate, adaxially usually glabrous and shiny, rarely sparsely tomentulose, then usually glabrescent. Peduncles 10-50 mm. Phyllaries 6-14, ovate to lanceolate, 5-9 mm. Florets 11-23; corollas pale yellow, 8-11 mm. Cypselae 3-4 mm, 9-nerved, glabrous or strigose; pappi of 80-120 bristles 8-10 mm. 2n = 60.

Flowering summer. Open, usually rocky, places, sometimes on serpentine; 70-2100 m; B.C.; Calif., Oreg., Wash.