Stems erect, branches ascending, densely hirsute or hispid-hirsute. Leaves (larger) 8-9 cm. Peduncles (25-)30-40 cm. Phyllary apices short-attenuate. Paleae: middle teeth white-villous ('bearded'). Rays 14-16. 2n = 34.

Flowering early summer-fall. Sandy soils; of conservation concern; 50-100+ m; Tex.

Subspecies hirtus is known from only a single population, near Carrizo Springs; it is genetically distinct from the two other subspecies (L. H. Rieseberg and M. F. Doyle 1989)