Herbs, annual, biennial, or perennial, (15-)40-50 cm tall, branching from most nodes, branches ascending, gray pubescent or glabrescent. Lower stem leaves: petiole 1.5-3.5 cm; leaf blade ovate, 2-3 × 1-1.5 cm, pubescent, 2-pinnatisect; segments 2 or 3 pairs, 3-lobuled; lobules linear-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, 3-5 × 0.5-1 mm. Middle stem leaves sessile; leaf blade 1-or 2-pinnatisect; segments (1 or)2 or 3 pairs, 3-5-lobuled; lobules filiform, 5-10 × 0.3-0.5 mm. Uppermost leaves and leaflike bracts 3-5-sect. Synflorescence a narrow panicle; branches from all but lowest node, ascending; ultimate branches to ca. 1 cm, erect. Capitula almost contiguous; peduncle to 3 mm. Involucre ovoid, 1-1.5 mm in diam.; phyllaries glabrous. Marginal female florets ca. 15. Disk florets 3-8, male. Achenes small. Fl. and fr. Aug-Nov.