Stems and leaves eglandular or obscurely glandular, nonglandular hairs mostly stiff, straight or curved. Phyllary apices not purplish or differently colored from proximal portion.

Flowering Jul-Sep. Open rocky slopes, ledges, talus, sometimes on serpentine; (1200-)1500-2700 m; Calif.

The cauline vestiture of var. viscidulus is variable, of stiff hairs primarily spreading to slightly deflexed, varying to antrorsely appressed (perhaps suggesting introgression from Erigeron inornatus). Apparent intergrades with E. reductus var. reductus occur in Trinity County.