Annuals, biennials, or short-lived perennials. Stems 1+, ascending to erect, canescent, sometimes sparsely stipitate-glandular; branches ascending (curved, flexible). Mid leaf blades lanceolate to oblanceolate. Peduncles equaling or longer than involucres. Involucres narrowly to broadly turbinate, 6-10 mm. Phyllaries in 3-5(-7) series, appressed, spreading, or reflexed, apices often canescent, stipitate-glandular. Ray florets sterile or 0. Cypselae sparsely appressed-hairy. 2n = 8.

Flowering Aug-Oct. Grasslands, pine forests, sagebrush scrublands; 1200-3400 m; Calif., Nev., Oreg.

Variety shastensis is found in the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and adjacent intermountain regions