Shrubs, 20-200[-250] cm. Stems branched from above bases, ± glabrous. Leaves alternate; petioles 0-5 mm; blades 3-nerved from bases, lance-elliptic, lance-ovate, lance-linear, or linear (folded or falcate), 10-130 × 2-9 mm, bases rounded or tapering, margins entire or nearly so, apices acuminate, faces gland-dotted, often puberulent (shiny). Heads in (leafy) paniculiform arrays. Peduncles 0-3 mm, glabrous or glutinous. Involucres cylindric, 5-7 mm. Phyllaries 10-24 in 6-8 series, pale green to stramineous, 3-5-striate, unequal, (glutinous) margins scarious; outer ovate (apices acute), inner lanceolate (apices obtuse). Florets 3-7; corollas cream, 3.5-4.5 mm. Cypselae 1.8-2.5 mm, scabrous; pappi of 30-40 barbellulate bristles.

Plant: Shrub 10-15 dm; Stems much-branched, ± glabrous Leaves: alternate, ± sessile, simple, veiny, 3-10 cm, linear, entire, appearing varnished, subglabrous to puberulent INFLORESCENCE: primary inflorescence a head, each resembling a flower; heads ± 5 mm, in small raceme-like clusters; involucre cylindric; phyllaries 10-12, overlapping, 4-veined, outer ovate, inner ± lanceolate, greenish, glabrous or minutely puberulent, tips erect Flowers: 3-5; corollas cylindric, ± white or tinged red; anther bases rounded or slightly cordate, tips ovate; style branches long, club-shaped, tips rounded Fruit: achenes, 1.8 mm, 10-ribbed, generally cylindric, hairy; pappus generally of many, generally scabrous bristles Misc: Washes; 1000-1700 m.; Apr-May