Stems branched. Cauline leaves nearly all opposite; blades oblanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, (8-)12-40 mm wide. Heads borne singly or 2-3+. Cypselae almost wingless; pappi 0. 2n = 30.

Flowering May-Jun. Open sites, ridges, grasslands; 30-1000 m; Calif.

Subspecies californica grows in the San Francisco Bay area and north to Mendocino and Glenn counties.