Plants 30-60(-80) cm, usually robust. Stems erect. Basal leaves 100-450 × 20-60 mm. Heads usually borne singly, sometimes 2-3. Involucres 15-20 × 20-60 mm. Ray corollas 13-30 mm. 2n = 12, 24.

Flowering Jul-Oct. Moist, alkaline meadows, openings in pine forest; 1900-2800 m; Colo., N.Mex., Utah, Wyo.

Variety crocea has the largest and most attractive heads in the genus and is often used as an ornamental.