Shrubs, 30-120 cm. Stems 1-5+, erect, spiny, pannose but for tomentose to glabrescent streaks. Leaves: primaries forming straight, ascending spines, 20-30 mm; secondaries oblanceolate to spatulate, 10-30 mm, tomentose to sericeous. Heads 4-7. Peduncles 5-12 mm. Involucres turbinate, 8-10 mm. Phyllaries 4-5, narrowly ovate. Florets 4-5; corollas pale yellow, 10-12 mm. Cypselae 5-8 mm, densely pilose or villous; pappi of 100-150 bristles 9-12 mm. 2n = 60.

Flowering spring-summer. Sandy and gravelly places, Joshua tree woodlands, creosote bush scrub; 600-1500 m; Ariz., Calif., Nev.