Perennials, 5-10(-14) cm (caudi­-ces branched, fibrous-rooted). Herb­age (sometimes purple-tinged) floccose-tomentose (persistently on abaxial faces of leaves, glabrescent elsewhere). Stems single or loosely clustered. Leaves ± evenly distributed; petiolate; blades oblanceolate to ovate, (1-)2-6 × 1-2.5 cm, bases tapered, margins dentate or incised to subpinnatifid (distal leaves bractlike). Heads 1(-5). Calyculi of 2-5 lance-linear bractlets (lengths ¹ / 3 - ² / 3 phyllaries). Phyllaries ± 13 or ± 21, 7-10 mm, tips green. Ray florets usually ± 13, sometimes fewer or 0; corolla laminae 8-12 mm. Cypselae glabrous. 2n = 40.

Late summer. Alpine peaks; 3500-4000 m; Colo., N.Mex.