Perennials 15-40 cm; taprooted (taproots/primary axes usually not evident or not collected), forming systems of relatively slender, rhizomelike caudex branches. Stems ascending, sparsely spreading-hairy, eglandular. Leaves cauline; proximal blades narrowly oblanceolate, 40-80 × 4-7 mm, gradually reduced and linear distally (bases not clasping), margins entire, ciliate, faces glabrous or glabrate, eglandular. Heads (discoid) 1(- 2). Involucres 7-11 × 14-20 mm. Phyllaries in 2-3 series, sparsely to densely villoso-hirsute, densely minutely glandular. Ray (pistillate) florets 0. Disc corollas 4.7-7 mm. Cypselae 1.8-2.2 mm, 2-nerved, faces sparsely strigose; pappi: outer of setae, inner of 17-30 bristles.

Flowering May-Aug. Coastal areas, bluffs, meadows; of conservation concern; ca. 50 m; Calif.