Stems, distal branches, and phyllaries gland-dotted, glands red- or purple-tipped. Involucres 13-17 mm. Ligules yellow, 1.5-2.5 cm. Cypselae tan or straw-colored, deeply grooved between ribs, faces not rugulose. 2n = 14. Flowering Apr-Jun. Sandy, gravelly soils, sand dunes, slopes, washes, limestone ridges in Lower Sonoran zone, Mohave and Colorado deserts; 200-1800 m; Ariz., Calif., Nev., Utah; Mexico (Baja California).

Plant: Annual; sap milky; stem: glands dark colored Leaves: 3-12 cm, basal and lower cauline petioled, 1-2-pinnately divided into long, linear lobes, glabrous; cauline alternate, gradually or abruptly reduced, upper sessile INFLORESCENCE: primary inflorescence a head, each resembling a flower; heads 2-4 cm diam, ligulate, showy, solitary or in open, few-headed cymes; involucre 10-15 mm; phyllaries in 2 series, scarious-margined, outer short, wide, inner many, linear; receptacle minutely bristly, otherwise naked Flowers: many ligules yellow, readily withering Fruit: 7-9 mm, smooth or nearly so, tapered to short beak; pappus 6-8 mm, white, of many slender bristles that fall together Misc: Sandy to gravelly soils, washes, slopes; < 2000 m.; Apr-May