Annuals, 2.5–20(–35) cm; usually taprooted, sometimes fibrous-rooted. Stems erect to decumbent-ascending, densely and loosely arachnose-tomentose. Leaves mostly cauline, basal usually withering before flowering, blades mostly oblanceolate to oblong-oblanceolate (± uniform in size and shape), 1–2.5(–3) cm × 2–6 mm, faces concolor or weakly bicolor, both loosely tomentose or adaxial glabrescent and greener. Heads in capitate clusters (in smallest plants) ca. 1 cm or interrupted, spiciform arrays 1–3(–12) cm × 8–12 mm (pressed, sometimes branching at proximal nodes, glomerules subtended by divergent-ascending bracts similar to distal cauline leaves). Involucres campanulate, 2.5–3 mm, bases sparsely arachnose. Phyllaries in 3–4(–5) series, outer ovate-triangular, lengths 1/2–2/3 inner, apices broadly acute, inner oblong, laminae usually purple (immediately beyond stereome and along proximal margins), apices (whitish) rounded-obtuse. Florets: bisexual (2–)3(–4); all corollas purplish distally. Cypselae (tan) 0.3–0.5 mm.
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