Phyllaries lanceolate, glabrous. Surface roughened with wavy transverse ridges. Pappus bristles equal, numerous, minutely barbed, fused into a ring at the base which separates as a unit. Pappus bristles pink to reddish and 7-9 mm long. Pappus bristles pink to reddish , especially near the tips, and 8-10 mm long.
Stems can persist into the next season with spiny phyllaries and receptacles attached.
Natural areas, disturbed sites, roadsides, fields, and especially sites with fertile soils. Infestations uncommon, but plants can be locally abundant at infested sites. Previous infestations now eradicated in Butte, Alameda, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, and San Diego cos. Reproduces only by seeds. Most seeds germinate in fall after the first rains, but some seeds can germinate year round under favorable moisture and temperature conditions.