Plants erect, 2-4 dm, glabrous. Aerial flowering stems erect, 0.2-2 dm. Leaves basalor basal and cauline; blade reniform. In-florescences 2-35 cm. Involucres sessile and appressed to branches, cylindric, 2-3 mm. Flowers 2-2.5 mm; perianth white to rose. Achenes 1.8-2 mm.

Flowering Jul-Sep. Sandy granitic flats and slopes, sagebrush communities, montane conifer woodlands; 1700-2400 m; Calif.

Variety saltuarium is known from only two locations, one near Dardanelle in Tuolumne County and another on Luther Pass in Alpine County. At present, this rare taxon has received no conservation consideration. Only a few hundred individuals have been observed in the field.