Perennials, 1.5-2.5(-8) cm (cespitose, bases sometimes woody). Stems erect to decumbent, sericeous. Leaves mostly basal; blades (15-30 × 1.5-8 mm) pinnati-palmately lobed (lobes 2-3, linear, 1-2 mm wide) or linear, faces silvery-canescent. Heads borne singly. Involucres 4.5-7 mm. Phyllaries (12-)14-20+, midribs canescent or glabrous. Cypselae (light brown) 1.8-2.5 mm (faces finely striate).

Flowering May-Aug. Dry hills and slopes; of conservation concern; 2200-2700 m; Wyo.

Sphaeromeria simplex is in the Center for Plant Conservation´s National Collection of Endangered Plants.