Biennials or perennials (rarely flowering first year), 10-30(-60+) cm. Stems arachno-villous (gray to gray-green). Heads in ± loose to crowded, corymbiform arrays. Peduncles (3-)12-20(-40) mm. Involucres 4-8 mm. Rays 3-4(-6); laminae (3-)7-14+ mm, spreading in fruit. Disc florets 6-9(-12). Cypselae usually glabrous, sometimes hirtellous and/or gland-dotted; pappi of (4-)6-8 elliptic or lanceolate to lance-subulate scales 2-3+ mm. 2n = 32. Flowering (Apr-)May-Sep(-Dec). Desert scrub, grasslands, limestone soils, saline flats, sandy soils; (300-)600-2400 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex., Utah; Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila). See comments under 6. Psilostrophe villosa.