Plants slightly glaucous at least on newer growth. Upper-stem leaves narrow to very narrow-elliptic, narrow-lanceolate or linear to narrow-linear, to 12 cm long, with l:w ratio 6–30; base (excluding auricles) attenuate or cuneate; small auricles sometimes present; margin entire, denticulate, or sometimes serrate; lower surface usually glaucous, with weak, coarse, spreading hairs commonly present mostly between veins, glabrescent; secondary venation ± distinct; tertiary venation variably discernible. Involucre 3.0–4.0 mm long, 1.6–2.5 mm diam.; bracts 8–12. Florets 15–22; ray florets 4–6, rarely 8; disc florets 11–14. Cypselas 1.6–2.3 mm long, papillose-hairy in bands. Flowers Aug.–Mar.