Biennials or perennials, (2-)5-50(-60) cm (rarely slightly woody or flowering first year, sometimes cespitose or ± matted); proximal indument thinning with age, grayish, mostly arachnoid-sericeous to thinly lanuginose. Stems 1-25+, erect to spreading. Leaves basal, or basal (sometimes withering) and ± cauline, (1-)2-12(-15) cm; largest blades ± elliptic or slightly lanceolate to ovate, ± 3-dimensional, usually 2-pinnately lobed; primary lobes (4-)5-9(-12) pairs, ± congested, scarcely imbricate, ultimate lobes ± involute and/or twisted. Heads 1-25+ per stem. Peduncles mostly ascending to erect, 1-10 cm. Involucres obconic to ± hemispheric. Phyllaries: longest 9-15(-17) mm; outer usually stipitate-glandular (sometimes sparsely or obscurely, rarely eglandular) and, often, arachnoid to lanuginose and, sometimes, sparsely villous, apices usually ± squarrose, pliant. Corollas 5-8 mm. Cypselae 5-8 mm (usually sparsely glandular amidst other indument); pappi: longest scales 3-6 mm. Chaenactis douglasii is widespread and variable (see discussion under var. douglasii).

Plant: Perennial, biennial(-), sometimes flowering first year; stems 1-several, erect to spreading, < 50 cm, generally thinly grayish cobwebby; hairs thinning with age Leaves: < 15 cm, generally cobwebby to ± tomentose, not fleshy; basal rosette ± persistent; largest blades generally 2-pinnately lobed, primary lobes 3-7 pairs, ± crowded, longest near middle, tips curled INFLORESCENCE: primary inflorescence a head, each resembling a flower; heads 1-many per stem; peduncles < 10 cm; involucre obconic to hemispheric, generally glandular-hairy; longest phyllaries 9-14 mm, tips generally erect, ± rigid, blunt Flowers: 10-many; corollas radial, 5-8 mm, white to pinkish, outer somewhat enlarged Fruit: 5-8 mm, club-shaped, stiffly hairy; pappus scales 8-20 in indistinct series, ± equal, longest generally 3-6 mm Misc: Dry, open often disturbed areas, alpine crevices; 1000-3500 m.