Annuals, (5-)12-30(-50) cm. Leaf lobes linear, 3-30 × 0.5-3 mm. Peduncles 5-25+ cm. Calyculi of 3-5 ovate-deltate bractlets (3-)4-6 mm. Phyllaries (5-)8, lance-ovate to lanceolate, 6-10+ mm. Paleae seldom basally adnate to and falling with disc cypselae. Ray florets (5-)8+; laminae 12-20(-30) mm. Disc florets (12-)40-100+; corollas 4-6.6 mm. Ray cypselae ± oblong, 4-6 mm. Disc cypselae oblanceolate to linear, 5-6 mm; pappi 3-4(-5) mm. 2n = 24.

Flowering Feb-Jun. Alkaline playas, flood plains, deep sands; 100-1000 m; Calif.