Perennials, 3-40 cm; taprooted (taproots deep, woody) or rhizomatous. Stems 1-20+, erect or ascending, simple or branched proximally, ± scapiform, glabrous. Leaves basal and cauline; petiolate; basal blades linear to lanceolate, margins entire, toothed, or pinnately lobed (faces glabrous); cauline foliaceous or reduced to minute bracts distally. Heads borne singly. Peduncles not inflated distally, sometimes bracteate. Calyculi 0. Involucres cylindric to campanulate, 3-20 mm diam. Phyllaries 18-22 in 3-5 series, ovate to lanceolate, unequal, margins scarious, apices acute. Receptacles slightly convex, slightly pitted, glabrous, paleate (paleae scarious, acuminate). Florets (10-)20-40(-60); corollas pink, purple, lavender, or nearly white. Cypselae golden or yellowish brown, cylindric or fusiform, tapered to slender beaks, ribs 5-6, rounded, obscure, scabrous or hispidulous; pappi persistent, of 15-60, distinct, tawny or yellowish brown, unequal, barbellulate bristles in 1 series.

Plants of Pinaropappus are recognized by the glabrous leaves in dense rosettes, scapiform stems, graduated phyllaries, and pale lavender and whitish corollas. They are commonly found in dry, rocky, limestone habitats; some species are cliff-dwellers.