Perennials, 15–40(–65) cm; taprooted, frequently rhizomatous (clonal). Stems 1–75, ascending to erect (proximaly sometimes reddish brown, often whitish due to pubescence, sometimes brittle), often short-branched in distal 1/2, usually sparsely long-hispid (more so in tetraploids), distally strigoso-canescent, eglandular (axillary leaf fascicles often present). Leaves generally ascending, congested; proximal cauline petiolate or subsessile, blades oblanceolate, 19–32 × 2–6 mm, bases convex-cuneate to attenuate, margins flat, entire, strigoso-ciliate, proximally long-hispido-strigose, apices acute, faces densely strigose, long-hispid hairs few, eglandular; distal sessile, usually silvery gray-green, blades linear-oblanceolate, 11–29 × 2–5 mm, little reduced distally, apices acute, faces very to extremely densely strigoso-canescent (90–200 hairs/mm²; silvery-whitish), long-hispid hairs usually few, eglandular. Heads 1–9(–15), borne singly or in corymbiform arrays, branches ascending. Peduncles 2–10 mm, densely strigose, usually sparsely hispid; bracts grading from leaves, proximal oblanceolate, sometimes little reduced distally; long, linear-oblancelate, leaflike bracts often subtending heads. Involucres cylindric to narrowly campanulate, 5–7(–7.5) mm (shorter than disc florets). Phyllaries in 4–6 series, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, unequal (outer lengths 1/5–1/4 inner), margins scarious, distally ciliate and reddish purple, faces moderately strigose, eglandular. Ray florets 10–22; laminae 5–9(–10.5) × 0.8–1.4 mm. Disc florets (14–)22–40(–50); corollas ± ampliate, 4.7–6.5 mm, throats glabrous, lobes 0.5–0.75 mm, lobes sparsely pilose (hairs 0.1–0.25 mm). Cypselae monomorphic, obconic, compressed, 1.2–3.1 mm, ribs 6–10 (sometimes brownish), faces moderately strigose; pappi off-white, outer of linear scales 0.25–0.5 mm, inner of 25–40 bristles 5–7.5 mm, longest weakly clavate. 2n = 18, 36.
