Perennials, (10–)20–70(–110) cm; taprooted. Stems 1–40+, decumbent to ascending or erect (sometimes ± brittle, sometimes reddish brown), moderately to densely hispido-strigose (long-spreading hairs often broken off), sometimes moderately hairy and densely stipitate-glandular distally (axillary leaf fascicles sometimes present). Leaves: margins flat to strongly undulate; basal and proximal usually withering by flowering; proximal cauline subsessile, blades oblanceolate, (8–)15–40(–60) × (2.4–)4–8(–11) mm, bases cuneate, margins entire, strigoso-ciliate (proximal hairs longer, spreading), apices acute, faces moderately to densely hispido-strigose; distal sessile, blades usually narrowly to broadly lanceolate, sometimes oblanceolate, 6.5–40 × 1.5–8 mm, usually reduced distally, bases rounded, faces sparsely to densely hispido-strigose or short-strigose (5–245 hairs/mm 2 ), sparsely to densely glandular (0–50 glands/mm 2 ). Heads (1–)17–36(–126) in corymbiform or paniculiform arrays, branches ascending. Peduncles 2–100 mm, densely hispid, strigose, or glandular; bracts 2–5+, proximal lanceolate, leaflike, distal reduced, phyllary-like, (2–)2.5–8.5(–13) × (0.3–)0.5–1.8(–4) mm, sometimes a few, large, leafy bracts proximal to heads. Involucres cylindric, turbinate, or campanulate (campanulate upon drying), (6–)7.5–11(–15) mm. Phyllaries in 4–6 series, mid narrowly triangular, unequal (outer lengths 1 / 5 – 1 / 4 inner), margins hyaline, fimbriate-ciliate apically, faces very sparsely to moderately strigose, very sparsely to moderately stipitate-glandular. Ray florets (4–)7–15(–24); laminae (3.5–)4.5–10.5(–18.5) × (0.7–)1–1.7(–2.4) mm. Disc florets (9–)20–50(–81); corollas ± ampliate, (4–)5.5–7(–9.5) mm, glabrous to glabrate, lobes 0.4–1 mm, sparsely pilose (hairs 0.1–1 mm, osteolate-celled ones often fragile). Cypselae monomorphic, obconic, compressed, (1.3–)2–3(–4.5) mm, ribs 6–10, faces sparsely to moderately strigose; pappi off-white, outer of linear scales 0.25–0.5 mm, inner of 25–45 bristles 5–8(–10) mm, longest attenuate to weakly clavate. 2n = 18, 36.
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