Perennials, 20-50+ cm; stoloniferous and rhizomatous (rhizomes horizontal to suberect). Stems 1 or multiple, loosely clustered, usually glabrous, sometimes tomentose proximally and in leaf axils. Basal leaves (and proximal cauline) petiolate; blades orbiculate, ovate, or obovate, 40-100+ × 20-80+ mm, bases tapering, rounded, or abruptly contracted, margins crenate, dentate, or serrate. Cauline leaves gradually reduced (sessile, clasping; pinnatisect or sublyrate). Heads 6-15+ in open or congested, corymbiform arrays. Peduncles bracteate, glabrous or proximally tomentose. Calyculi conspicuous. Phyllaries 13 or 21, green (tips sometimes reddish), 3-6 mm, glabrous or floccose-tomentose proximally. Ray florets 8-13(-21); corolla laminae 7-10 mm. Disc florets 40-50+; corolla tubes 2-3 mm, limbs 2-3 mm. Cypselae 1-1.5 mm, glabrous or hirsute on ribs; pappi 3-6 mm. 2n = 44, 88, 90. Flowering late Feb-Apr (south), early Apr-early Jun (north). Meadows in deciduous woodlands, wet ditches, stream banks, rocky hillsides; 0-2500 m; Ont., Que.; Ala., Ark., Conn., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Kans., Ky., La., Md., Mass., Mich., Miss., Mo., N.H., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va.; Mexico (Coahuila). Packera obovata forms relatively large, stoloniferous colonies in wet sites.