Plants 5-30 cm. Leaves 20-60 mm. Peduncles 10-40 mm. Phyllaries 5-8 mm. Ray corollas 5-8 mm. Disc florets 12-24(-34); corollas 3-5 mm. Cypselae 3-5.5 mm; disc pappi 2.5-4 mm. 2n = 24.
Variety grandis is restricted for the most part to the Chihuahuan Desert with outlying populations in central Arizona. It often grows with Pectisangustifolia var. angustifolia in trans-Pecos Texas, especially on roadsides; occasional hybrids have been noted.