Plants rhizomatous or with woody caudices. Herbage tomentose. Stems 1 (from rhizomes) or 2-3+ (from caudices), erect, freely branched, herbaceous or proximally woody, relatively leafy distally. Cauline leaves: proximal not pinnately lobed (lanceolate to elliptic, margins usually entire, apices acute); distal broadly lance-linear to elliptic or linear (firm, bases gradually tapering), margins usually entire, sometimes denticulate, apices usually acute. Arrays of heads relatively crowded to open. Cypselae 2.2-2.5 mm. 2n = 18.

Flowering year-round. Rocky open banks, chaparral, coastal sage; of conservation concern; 200-2200 m; Calif.

Variety arachnoidea grows in Carmel Valley (Monterey County) and in the San Rafael Mountains (Santa Barbara County).