Herbs, loosely matted, 0.2-0.5 × 1-4 dm. Leaf blades oblanceolate to elliptic, 0.2-0.4 × 0.07-0.15 cm, reddish- or brownish-white-tomentose, margins often revolute. Scapes 0.5-3 cm, tomentose. Involucres 1.5-2 mm, glabrous or tomentose. Flowers (1.5-)2-2.5 mm. Achenes 1.8-2 mm.

Flowering Jul-Aug. Gravelly to rocky slopes and ridges, sagebrush communities, alpine conifer woodlands; 2500-3500 m; Calif.

Variety alpigenum is rare and localized, restricted to the higher mountains of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. In the Mt. Williamson and Mt. Baden-Powell area of the San Gabriel Mountains, it occurs from 2500-2800 m, whereas on Mt. San Gorgonio, it is found from 3350-3500 m.