Perennials, 1-3 cm (usually ± pulvinate). Stems ± erect; internodes 0.1-1 mm, ± villous. Leaves basal and cauline, ± spatulate to oblanceolate, 3-8(-18) × 1-2.5 mm (not fleshy), faces ± villous. Heads ± sessile. Involucres ± campanulate, 4-8 mm diam. Phyllaries ca. 26 in 3-4 series, the longer ± lanceolate, 5-8 mm (l/w = 3-5), apices acute, abaxial faces ± strigose to villous. Ray florets 13-17; corollas white adaxially, laminae 5-8 mm, glabrous abaxially. Disc florets number unknown; corollas 4 mm. Cypselae 3-4 mm, faces glabrous or glabrate; pappi readily falling, of 15-20 subulate to setiform scales 3-5 mm (± connate basally).

Flowering Jul. Rocky slopes; of conservation concern; 2600 m; Wyo.

The type of Townsendia microcephala may prove to be conspecific with that of T. spathulata.