Annuals, (10-)20-80 cm (roots relatively thin, branching). Herbage loosely arachno-tomen­tose, unevenly glabrate or glabrescent. Stems single. Leaves progressively reduced distally; petiolate (petioles broadly winged); blades ovate-lanceolate, 3-8(-10) × (1-)1.5-3(-4) cm, bases tapered or ± truncate, margins dentate to subentire (mid leaves subsessile, lanceolate; distal subulate, bractlike). Heads (1-)10-30 in corymbiform arrays. Calyculi of 2-8 bractlets (1-2+ mm). Phyllaries ± 13, (6-)7-10 mm, tips green to grayish. Ray florets ± 8; corolla laminae 8-15 mm. Cypselae hirtellous.

Flowering early-mid spring. Open sandy or disturbed sites; 100-800 m; Tex.

Senecio ampullaceus has been reported for Arkansas and Missouri (St. Louis). It is similar to S. quaylei.