Perennials; caudices thick, tough. Stems subscapiform, densely hairy proximally, sparsely hairy to subglabrous distally. Leaves mostly basal; petiole lengths ± equaling blades; blades ovate or elliptic, 20-30(-40) cm, nearly as wide, deeply 3-4-pinnatisect, ultimate lobes narrowly triangular to oblong, acute; mid and distal leaves progressively smaller, bractlike. Calyculi: bractlets 2-4 mm. Phyllaries (4-)5-7 mm. Corollas 7-9 mm. Cypselae 4-5 mm; pappi 4-7 mm. 2n = 60. Flowering summer-early fall. Shady sites, open woodlands; 1700-2600 m; Ariz., N.Mex.; Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora). Psacalium decompositum barely enters the flora area in Arizona and New Mexico.