Plants spreading, compact mats, 2-6(-8) dm wide. Aerial flowering stems 0.3-1 dm. Leaf blades elliptic, 0.5-1.2 × 0.5-0.8 cm. Inflorescences capitate, rarely umbellate; bracts 0.3-1 × 0.3-0.5 cm. Involucres 3-5 × 3-4 mm. Flowers 4-5(-6) mm.

Flowering Jun-Oct. Sandstone outcrops, ledges, and cliffs, blackbrush and sagebrush communities, oak and pinyon-juniper woodlands; 1600-1900 m; Utah.

Variety rupicola is restricted to Zion National Park in Kane and Washington counties. It is marginally distinct from var. arcuatum.