Stems woolly. Abaxial leaf faces woolly. Involucres obconic, 5-6 mm. Phyllaries glabrous or villous. Disc florets 15-30; style-branch appendages lanceolate, 0.3-0.6 mm.

Flowering Aug-Nov. Grasslands, roadsides, hillsides, usually sandy soils; of conservation concern; 800-1300 m; Calif.

Variety tomentosa is known only from near Warner Springs in San Diego County. It is conspicuously woolly except on the phyllaries.