Plants 20-40+ cm (slender, rarely stout). Basal leaves: petiole lengths equaling blades; blades broadly ovate, 20-40 × 20-30 mm, margins usually bluntly dentate or denticulate, rarely sharply dentate. Heads 5-12 in congested, cymiform arrays. Phyllaries 3-5 mm. 2n = 46.

Flowering late May-early Jul. Damp soils, stream banks, woodlands, meadows; 1800-2700 m; Colo., N.Mex., Wyo.

Variety flavula is known from southern Wyoming through central Colorado to northern New Mexico. Its habitats are similar to those of var. pseudaurea; its aspect resembles that of var. semicordata.