Annual or biennial. Stem erect or ascending, branched above, grooved, 30-100 cm tall, with spreading bristly hairs each bearing 3-4 recurved barbs at apex. Lvs with stiff spreading bristles, each bristle with 3-4 recurved barbs at apex, some stout with white bulbous bases, most finer. Basal lvs oblong to oblanceolate, sinuate to shallowly dentate, acute or obtuse, (2)-8-20-(30) × (0.5)-1.5-4-(8) cm, tapered to short winged petiole. Lower stem lvs similar to basal, with rounded amplexicaul auricles. Upper stem lvs smaller, lanceolate to deltoid, with rounded amplexicaul auricles. Capitula numerous. Involucre 15-20 mm long; outer bracts ovate-cordate, with attenuate apex, bristly especially on margins, slightly < inner bracts; inner bracts lanceolate with pectinate-bristly apex. Corolla yellow, sometimes with red stripe on outer face of ligule, c. 11/2× length of involucre. Achenes cylindric, transversely wrinkled; body 2-3-(5) mm long; beak > body; outer achenes few, pale, curved, downy on one side; inner achenes numerous, red-brown, straight, glabrous. Pappus white, plumose, seemingly in 1 row.