Leaf blades mostly 50-150 mm, margins of proximal usually shallowly toothed, of distal entire or serrulate. Involucres 7-8 mm. Phyllary apices spinulose-aristate. Florets 20-27. 2n = 12.

Flowering Aug-Oct. Salt flats; 0-20 m; Calif.

In the limited zone of contact between vars. bracteosa and acradenia, intermediates are rare. The two differ in chromosome number and significantly in habitat (altitudes are essentially non-overlapping). Field studies may show them to warrant distinction at specific rank.