Leaves: blades 1-4 cm, bases ± clasping, margins thickened, usually with 3-6 spines 1-3 mm near bases, apices mucronate or acute. Phyllaries usually lanate on margins. Corollas pinkish purple in bud, white at flowering, ca. 10 mm. Cypselae brown, 5 mm; pappi 1-2 mm. 2. = 16.

Flowering Apr-Jun. Granite, basalt, and caliche soils, low desert scrub; 1700-2000 m; Calif., Nev.

Hecastocleis shockleyi is known from southwestern Nevada and adjacent California.