Perennials, 4–10+ cm; rhizomatous and/or fibrous-rooted (mat-forming, bases ascending to erect, coarse). Stems 1 or 2–3, clustered, bases floccose-tomentose, leaf axils tomentose, glabrous elsewhere. Basal leaves (thick, fleshy) petiolate; blades usually ovate, oblong, or spatulate, sometimes sublyrate, 20–50+ × 20–40+ mm, bases tapering (to winged petioles) or abruptly contracted to subcordate (petioles narrow), margins crenate, coarsely serrate, or subentire. Cauline leaves (often cyanic) gradually reduced (sessile, not clasping; lanceolate to linear, usually irregularly and shallowly lobed, rarely entire). Heads 1–2(–5+). Peduncles conspicuously bracteate, glabrous. Calyculi conspicuous (tips of bractlets often purple). Phyllaries 21, deep red or green (tips reddish), 8–12+ mm, white-tomentose proximally. Ray florets 10–12; corolla laminae 8–14+ mm. Disc florets 55–75+; corolla tubes 2.5–3.5 mm, limbs 3–4 mm. Cypselae 1–1.25 mm, glabrous; pappi 4–7 mm. 2n = 160+.
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