Stems moderately branched, usually simple proximally; proximal mostly (2-)2.5-5 mm wide. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline blades oblanceolate, 20-40(-60) × 3-5(-15) mm, margins entire or rarely with a pair of shallow teeth. 2n = 18. Flowering May-Jul(-Sep). Open habitats in deep, loose sand; 500-1100 m; Colo., Kans., Nebr., N.Mex., Okla., Tex. Intergrades between var. robustus and var. bellidiastrum occur in their area of geographic overlap.