Perennial herb forming a flat mat or cushion-like mound up to 3.5 dm across from an intricately branching caudex; leaves all basal, short-petioled, the blade narrowly elliptic, 4-12 mm long, 1.5-3.5 mm wide, silky tomentose, the margins revolute; inflorescence stems numerous, 2-13 mm long, silky tomentose; inflorescence capitate, not or only slightly exceeding the leaves; involucres 5-lobed, one per flowering stem, 2-3 mm high, 4-5 mm wide; flowers yellow, 3-4.5 mm long; petals villous pubescent on outer surface; ovaries and seeds villous. Flowers late May and June.