Perennials, 1-2(-4) cm (usually ± pulvinate). Stems ± erect; internodes 0.1-1 mm, ± scabrellous to strigose. Leaves basal and cauline, blades ± spatulate to oblanceolate, 7-15(-35+) × 1-2(-4+) mm, not fleshy, faces ± scabrellous to strigose. Heads usually ± sessile, sometimes on scapiform peduncles 5-15+ mm. Involucres ± campanulate, 8-14 mm diam. Phyllaries 20-28 in 3-4+ series, the longer ± lanceolate, 4-8 mm (l/w = 2.5-5), sometimes glabrate, apices acute, abaxial faces usually sparsely strigillose. Ray florets 13-21; corollas white adaxially, laminae 5-7+ mm, ± densely glandular-puberulent abaxially. Disc florets 40-80+; corollas 4.5-5+ mm. Cypselae 2-3(-4+) mm, faces hairy, hair tips glochidiform or forked; pappi persistent; on ray cypselae 20-24 subulate to setiform scales 3-4+ mm; on disc cypselae 20-24 subulate to setiform scales 4-6(-8) mm.

Flowering Apr-Jun. Rocky slopes, limestone slopes with pinyons; 2100-3000 m; Ariz., Nev., Utah.

The current circumscription of Townsendia jonesii is, perhaps, too lumpy. Some lumps might be better treated as distinct species and/or included within the circum-scription of T. scapigera.