Leaves: basal blades 3-50 × 2-4 mm. Involucres 11-14 × 3-4 mm. Calyculi: bractlets 2-4 mm. Cypselae 8-11(-12) mm; pappi: awns 8-11 mm, bristles 20-30% shorter. 2n = 18.

Flowering May-Jul. Dunes, sandy soils and alkali flats in creosote bush scrub, sagebrush scrub; 800-1800 m; Calif., Nev., Oreg.