Subshrubs, 5-15 dm, glabrous. Aerial flowering stems often fistulose, 2-6 dm. Leaf blades (2-)3-10 2-6 cm, tomentose abaxially, subglabrous adaxially. Inflorescences cymose, 20-100 × (5-)10-50 cm. Involucres turbinate-cam­panulate, 5-6 × 3-5 mm. Flowers 2.5-3 mm; perianth white.

Flowering Mar-Oct. Rocky cliffs and bluffs, coastal grassland and scrub communities; 0-300 m; Calif.

Variety grande is found on Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Santa Catalina, Anacapa, and San Clemente islands off the coast of southern California, being fairly common on each island. The more robust plants are seen inland, away from the immediate effects of ocean winds.