Stems usually branched proximally, moderately to densely hispid, sparsely stipitate-glandular. Leaves gray-green, mid cauline averaging 19.2 × 4.2 mm (9-29 × 2.6-4.1 mm), faces long-villous, moderately to densely hispid (more than 5 hairs/mm²), not obviously stipitate-glandular. Outer phyllaries lanceolate. 2n = 18.

Flowering Jul-Oct. Sandy and rocky soils, dry areas away from streams, openings in oak and conifer woodlands, disturbed roadbanks; 200-1000+ m; Calif.

Variety compacta has leaf hairs sufficiently dense to give the plants a gray-green to even whitish appearance; the plants are therefore similar to individuals of Heterotheca echioides, which is radiate. It occurs scattered in the Klamath, Cascade, and Coastal Range mountains of northern California.