Low growing, commonly much branched at base with erect or ascending stems. Flower heads in small leafy bracted clusters, not in spikes; bracts scarcely overlapping. The bracts in the flower head have a dry membranous appearance but are stiff at the tip.
Stems short or up 12 inches tall; stems and foliage are nearly white due to their coating of woolly hairs; leaves are small and lance-shaped; flower is a cluster of very small flower heads in a nest of woolly fibers and leafy bracts.
Habitat
Found along streams, grassy plains and on valley floors.
Flower Characteristics
Small clusters of 3 to 10 whitish to brownish-green or straw colored flower heads in terminal or axillary positions. Floral bracts are scale- like and pale brown with white tips. This species has no ray florets, only disc florets.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Single veined leaves covered with loose woolly hairs about 1/8 inch long; oblong to lance-shaped; margins are smooth to slightly wavy.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Dry 1-seeded fruit resembles an achene but is surrounded by a sheath (cypselae) formed by sepals.