Plants 1.5-3 dm wide. Leaf blades elliptic to round, 0.3-1.2 cm, tomentose to densely floccose, margins not brownish. Scapes decumbent to ascending, 2-6(-9) cm, tomentose to floccose. Inflorescences capitate, 1.5-4 cm wide; branches absent. Involucres 4-6 per cluster, 5-8 mm. Flowers 4-6 mm; perianth white to cream.

Flowering Jun-Aug. Limestone outcrops, pinyon woodlands; 1800 m; Calif.

Variety monarchense is known from a single population of fewer than 30 individuals in the Kings River Canyon area of Fresno County.