Shrubs, 100-150 cm. Stems (ascending) branched, pubescent, sometimes glandular-pubescent. Leaves alternate; petioles 4-10 mm; blades 3-nerved from bases, rhombic-ovate, 10-40 × 10-20 mm, bases cuneate, margins laciniate-dentate, apices acute to obtuse, faces glabrate or gland-dotted. Heads in dense, paniculiform arrays. Peduncles 5-40 mm, pubescent. Involucres narrowly campanulate, 7-11 mm. Phyllaries 35-40 in 5-7 series, 3-5-striate, unequal, (glabrous, ± chartaceous) margins narrowly scarious (apices acute to acuminate); outer ovate, inner lanceolate. Florets 16-17; corollas cream, 6-7 mm. Cypselae 2-3 mm, pubescent; pappi of 18-24 white, barbellate bristles. 2n = 18. Flowering Oct-Apr. Sandy to granitic soils, limestone slopes, granitic cliffs; of conservation concern; 500-1600 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.