Perennials, 17–50(–80) cm; taprooted. Stems 1–30+, ascending to erect (sometimes reddish brown), sparsely to densely hispido-strigose, sparsely to densely stipitate-glandular. Leaves: proximal cauline subpetiolate to sessile, blades oblanceolate, (13–)22–46(–60) × (3.5–)5.3–10(–14) mm, bases attenuate to somewhat rounded, margins entire, strigoso-ciliate (with a few longer hispid cilia near bases), apices mucronate, faces sparsely to densely strigoso-canescent, sparsely to moderately stipitate-glandular; distal sessile, blades ovate to lanceolate, 12–34(–55) × 4–15 mm, little reduced to larger distally, margins entire to somewhat irregularly sinuate, sparsely to densely hispido-strigose (large cilia few to numerous, usually along much of margins, sometimes just proximally), faces sparsely to densely strigose, sparsely to densely stipitate-glandular (sometimes more glandular than more proximal blades). Heads (1–)7–15(–43), in open to compact, corymbiform arrays. Peduncles 1–20 mm, sparsely to densely strigoso-canescent, sparsely to moderately stipitate-glandular; bracts 1–4, proximal ovate to narrowly lanceolate (bases sometimes attenuate and winged short-subpetiolate), leaflike, distalmost often distinct from distal leaves, usually subtending or just proximal to and usually surpassing heads (obscure in narrow-leaved, hairy plants). Involucres cylindric to campanulate, 5.7–9(–10.3) mm. Phyllaries in 4–5 series, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, unequal (outer lengths 1/4–1/3 inner), scarious, faces sparsely to moderately strigose, sparsely stipitate-glandular. Ray florets (5–)11–21(–34); laminae (7–)9–13(–16) × 1–2.7 mm. Disc florets (12–)26–66(–110); corollas barely ampliate, 5–7.5 mm, glabrate, lobes 0.4–0.9 mm, sparsely hairy (hairs 0.05–0.2(–0.3) mm). Cypselae monomorphic, obconic, compressed, 1.5–3(–4) mm, ribs 10–12 (sometimes golden brown to brown), faces sparsely to moderately strigose; pappi off-white, outer of linear scales 0.25–1 mm, inner of 35–45 bristles (4.3–)5–6.5(–8) mm, longest acute to weakly clavate. 2n = 18, 36 (atypical plants).
