Shrubs, 100-200 cm. Stems (arching) branched from near bases, gland-dotted. Leaves alternate; petioles 4-5 mm; blades 3-nerved from bases, lance-ovate to lanceolate, 10-35 × 1-16 mm, bases acute to attenuate, margins dentate to serrate, apices acute to acuminate, faces densely gland-dotted and sparsely pubescent (not shiny). Heads in paniculiform arrays. Peduncles 2-5 mm, densely glandular-pubescent. Involucres cylindric to narrowly campanulate, 6-9 mm. Phyllaries 18-22 in 5-7 series, greenish, 3-4-striate, unequal, margins scarious (apices acute to acuminate); outer lance-ovate (sparsely puberulent, gland-dotted), inner lanceolate (glabrous). Florets 5-7; corollas white, 5-6.5 mm. Cypselae 2.5-3, puberulent to sparsely pubescent; pappi of 28-32 white, barbellulate bristles.

Flowering Sep-Oct. Gravelly washes; of conservation concern; 700-1700 m; Calif.

Brickellia knappiana is found only in the mountains of eastern California. It is noted as a possible hybrid between B. californica and B. multiflora. Collections from mixed populations of B. knappiana and B. californica have been noted on herbarium specimens.