Perennials, 20-50+ cm; fibrous-rooted (caudices creeping). Stems 1 or 2-3, loosely clustered, glabrous. Basal leaves (and proximal cauline) petiolate; blades ± orbiculate to oblong, or lyrate (lateral lobes 1-3 pairs, sinuses usually rounded, midribs usually winged), 50-120+ × 30-70+ mm, bases cordate to subcordate, margins shallowly to deeply incised. Cauline leaves gradually reduced (petiolate or sessile and clasping; lanceolate, incised). Heads 8-15+ in corymbiform or subumbelliform arrays. Peduncles ebracteate or inconspicuously bracteate, glabrous. Calyculi conspicuous. Phyllaries (8), 13, or 21, dark green, 5-8 mm, glabrous or sparsely tomentose proximally. Ray florets 8 or 13; corolla laminae 10-15+ mm. Disc florets 30-45+; corolla tubes 3-4 mm, limbs 3.5-4.5 mm. Cypselae 2.5-3.5 mm, glabrous; pappi 5-7 mm. 2n = 46.

The two varieties of Packera bolanderi have been treated as species. The morphologic characteristics used to distinguish the varieties vary widely within some populations. Presence or absence of multicellular hairs has been used to separate the varieties; that trait is also variable. The morphologic distinction is weak; habitat and elevation records lend support for recognizing two varieties.