Stems often clustered from branched rootstock, 15-40 cm, bases not thickened. Adaxial leaf faces gray- to white-tomentose. Heads 1-4, in compact arrays. Cypselae without stramineous apical collars.

Flowering summer (Jun-Aug). Barren slopes in shallow, stony soil in very open, arid grasslands; of conservation concern; 2000-2200 m; Wyo.