Perennials, (20-)30-40(-60) cm (rhizomes suberect or weakly spreading). Herbage lanate-arachnose or tomentose, unevenly glabrescent. Stems 1(-2). Leaves (often purplish abaxially) reduced distally; petiolate; blades ovate to subelliptic, (5-)6-10(-15) × (2.5-)3-5(-9) cm, bases tapered or contracted, margins subentire to denticulate (denticles callous; mid and distal leaves bractlike). Heads (2-)5-12(-20) in corymbiform arrays. Calyculi of 2-5+ bractlets (largest to 3 mm). Phyllaries (± 13) ± 21, 5-7 mm, tips green. Ray florets ± 13; corolla laminae 5-10 mm. Cypselae hairy (especially on angles). 2n = 40. Flowering late spring-summer. Openings in pine-oak woodlands; 1600-2100 m; Ariz. Senecio arizonicus is reputedly in southern New Mexico (W. C. Martin and C. R. Hutchins 1980); that seems unlikely and should be checked.