Herbs, forming hemispheric clumps 6-10 dm diam., glabrous or densely pubescent. Stems 4-7 dm. Leaves spreading; petioles of proximal leaves 2-4 cm; blades of midstem leaves ovate to widely ovate, sometimes suborbiculate, rarely reniform, 5-10 × 4-8 cm, base rounded to cordate, often asymmetric, apex acute or acuminate to obtuse, rarely rounded. Involucres: peduncle 4-75 mm; involucres erect or ascending, 33-35 mm; bracts 5, usually more than 50% connate, apex acute to obtuse or ovate. Flowers 6 per involucre; perianth magenta, funnelform, 2.5-6 cm. Fruits brown to black, with 10 slender, tan ribs alternating with 10 dark brown ribs, or ribs inconspicuous, ovoid or globose, 6-11 mm, smooth to rugulose, glabrous or pubescent, secreting mucilage or not when wetted. 2n = 66.
Hillsides and mesas, often amongst rocks and shrubs. Gravelly or sandy soils, pinyon-juniper woodlands, ponderosa pine forests at elevations of 300-2300 metres.
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It is a warm temperate plant.
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