Plants 0.2-1 × 0.5-1.5(-2) dm. Leaf blades oblanceolate to elliptic, 0.4-1.5(-1.7) × (0.15-)0.25-0.6(-1) cm, densely white-tomentose and glandular on both surfaces. Involucres turbinate to turbinate-campanulate, (2.5-)3-4(-4.5) × 2.5-3.5 mm; teeth (5-)6-8. Flowers 2-3 mm; perianth bright yellow to reddish yellow; tepals obovate. Achenes 1.5-2.5 mm. 2n = 40.

Flowering Jul-Sep. Granitic or volcanic slopes and ridges, sagebrush communities, montane to alpine conifer woodlands; (2300-)2500-4000 m; Calif., Nev.

Variety rosense is common in the Sierra Nevada (Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Madera, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Shasta, Sierra, and Tuolumne counties) and higher desert ranges to the east in Carson City, Douglas, Esmeralda, Storey, and Washoe counties, Nevada. It is an excellent rock-garden plant.