Plants 30-60 cm. Cauline leaf bases often clasping. Heads usually 5-15. Phyllaries green, broadly oblanceolate (outer) to lanceolate or linear (inner), unequal, outer exceeding inner and wider, often foliaceous, apices obtuse to rounded, inner narrowly ovate, apices acute to obtuse. 2n = 16. Flowering Jun-Aug. Montane meadows, open slopes and woods; 1400-3000 m; Ariz., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Wash., Wyo.