Biennials or perennials, (2-)5-12(-25+) cm. Stems decumbent to erect; internodes (0.1-)2-12(-25+) mm, strigose. Leaves basal and cauline, blades spatulate to oblanceolate, 15-35(-60+) × 2-5(-8+) mm, not fleshy, faces ± strigose or glabrate Heads at tips of stems (usually surpassed by leaves). Involucres ± hemispheric or broader, 12-25(-35+) mm diam. Phyllaries 40-64 in 4-7+ series, the longer ± lanceolate to lance-linear, 10-15+ mm (l/w = 4-6), apices acute to attenuate (soft, not apiculate), abaxial faces ± strigose or glabrous. Ray florets 21-67+; corollas usually blue or purplish, rarely white or pinkish, adaxially, laminae 7-15(-20+) mm, glabrous abaxially. Disc florets 150-200+; corollas 4.5-6 mm. Cypselae 3-4.5+ mm, hairy, hair tips forked or entire; pappi persistent, of 24-30+ subulate to setiform scales 3.5-4(-7.5) mm. 2n = 18.

Flowering May-Aug. Meadows, grassy slopes, gravelly benches, talus; 1500-3000 m; Alta., B.C.; Idaho, Mont., Nev., Oreg., Utah, Wyo.