Plants 10-30 cm; proximal indument grayish, sparsely arachnoid. Stems mostly 3-7(-12), ± horizontal; branches proximal and distal. Leaves basal (withering) and cauline, mostly 2-5 cm; largest blades ± plane to 3-dimensional, succulent, mostly 2-pinnately lobed; primary lobes 2-7 pairs, ± congested, ultimate lobes ± plane to involute. Heads mostly 2-5 per stem. Peduncles 1-4 cm. Involucres ± hemispheric. Phyllaries: longest 4.5-6.5(-9) × 1-2 mm; outer predominantly stipitate-glandular and ± villous in fruit. Florets: inner corollas 4.5-5.5 mm. Cypselae 4-5 mm; pappi of 4 scales in 1 series, longest scales mostly 1-2.5 mm, lengths 0.2-0.5 times corollas. 2n = 12.

Flowering late Apr-Jun. Coastal dunes and bluffs; of conservation concern; 0-100 m; Calif.; Mexico (Baja California).

Variety orcuttiana is known along the coast from near Santa Barbara to northwestern Baja California. It appears to intergrade with var. glabriuscula shortly inland.