Perennials, 7-15(-20+) cm (rhizomes fibrous-rooted). Herbage (sometimes purplish-tinged) floccose-tomentose, unevenly glabrescent. Stems single or loosely clustered (erect or arching). Leaves mostly cauline; petiolate (petioles about equaling blades); blades lanceolate or oblanceolate to ovate, (2-)4-8+ × 1.5-3 cm, bases tapered, margins denticulate (distal leaves smaller, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, bractlike). Heads nodding, 1(-2). Calyculi of 4-8 lanceolate to lance-linear bractlets (lengths mostly less than ¹ / 2 phyllaries). Phyllaries usually ± 21, sometimes ± 13, (8-)10-15 mm, tips usually greenish (often sparsely hairy). Ray florets ± 13; corolla laminae ± 15 mm. Cypselae glabrous. 2n = 40.

Flowering late summer-early fall. High talus slopes; of conservation concern; 2200-2600 m; Wash.