Plants 15-30 cm; setae whitish, conspicuously curled or crisped (1-2 mm). Stems densely setose or tomentose. Leaves: petioles setose; blades 10-15 × 3-4 cm (tomentulose or glabrate, midribs setose). Involucres 12-17 mm. Phyllaries densely setose or tomentose. Cypselae greenish black, 7-10 mm, beaked (beaks 1-2 mm, ribs alternating strong and weak); pappi 7-10 mm. 2n = 22, 33, 44.

Flowering May-Jul. Dry open places, rocky ridges; 1000-1100 m; B.C.; Wash.

Subspecies rostrata is distinguished mainly by the dense curly setae of the involucres and cypselae with relatively short, coarse beaks.