Heads ± spheric, largest mostly 2.5-3.3 mm. Pistillate paleae individually visible through thin sericeous indument.

Flowering and fruiting mid Feb-mid May. Dunes, beaches, sandy soils, often where disturbed; 0-100 m; Ala., Tex.

Variety drummondii is known from coastal Alabama and Texas (nearly to Mexico), including islands; it may be found with var. verna up to about 300 km inland in Texas (most plants starting about 50-150 km inland are intermediate to some degree).