Plants 30-80 cm. Corms globose (fibrous roots often densely covering whole structure). Stems glabrous. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline 1-nerved, linear to linear-lanceolate, 80-200 × 1-3(-4, -6) mm, gradually reduced or abruptly reduced on distal ¹/2 of stems, essentially glabrous. Heads in loose to dense, spiciform arrays (internodes to 8 mm). Peduncles 0 or (ascending) 1-12 mm. Involucres turbinate-cylindric, 5-7(-9) × 3-4 mm. Phyllaries in 3-4 series, oblong to oblong-obovate, strongly unequal, essentially glabrous, margins with hyaline borders, apices rounded. Florets 4-5(-6); corolla tubes glabrous inside. Cypselae 3-3.5 mm; pappi: lengths ± ¹/2 corollas, bristles barbellate. 2n = 20, 60. Flowering (Jul-)Aug-Oct. Outcrops of granite and sandstone, rocky slopes, sandy stream banks, openings in pine-oak, oak barrens; 200-600 m; Ala., Ga., Ky., N.C., S.C., Tenn.