Perennials, (15-)20-50(-70) cm (rhizomes branched, ± woody). Herbage glabrous. Stems 1-(2-4). Leaves (thickish-turgid) progressively reduced distally; petiolate; blades broadly lanceolate to subelliptic, 2.5-15 × 1-5 cm, bases tapered, margins sharply dentate to subentire (some teeth callous; mid leaves sometimes larger than proximal; distal leaves sessile, smaller, often clasping). Heads (1-)4-12 in corymbiform arrays. Calyculi of (1-)3-6 linear to filiform bractlets (lengths to ¹ / 3 phyllaries). Phyllaries (± 8) ± 13 or ± 21, 5-9 mm, tips black (villous). Ray florets ± 8 or ± 13; corolla laminae 5-12 mm. Cypselae glabrous. 2n = 40.

Flowering summer. Moist to drying hillsides, meadows, other open places in forest associations; 2200-3700 m; Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., S.Dak., Utah, Wyo.