Perennials, 10-40(-60) cm (rhizomatous). Stems erect (usually herbaceous). Leaves: petioles 0-3 mm; blades narrowly ovate or obovate to elliptic or spatulate, 15-25(-45) × 3-8(-15) mm, margins rarely toothed, faces usually ± strigose to scabrellous, gland-dotted. Heads in ± racemiform arrays. Peduncles 1-2 mm. Involucres ± hemispheric, 2-3 mm. Phyllaries: outer 3-5 ± connate, ± herbaceous. Paleae linear, 1.5-2 mm. Pistillate florets 3-5(-8); corollas 0.5-1.5 mm. Functionally staminate florets 4-8(-20+); corollas 2-2.5 mm. Cypselae 2.5-3 mm. 2n = 36, 54.

Flowering May-Oct. Seasonally wet, saline habitats; 10-2500 m; Alta., B.C., Man., Sask.; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Kans., Minn., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.Mex., N.Dak., Okla., Oreg., S.Dak., Tex., Utah., Wash., Wis., Wyo.