Plants perennial, 20–50+ cm; caudices fibrous-rooted, branched.
Stems 1–3, loosely clustered, glabrous.
Basal leaves blades orbiculate to lyrate, bases cordate to sub-cordate, ultimate margins shallowly to deeply incised, with distinct lateral lobes in 1–3 pairs, midribs usually winged; petiolate.
Cauline leaves lower orbiculate to lyrate, with distinct lateral lobes in 1–3 pairs; middle and upper cauline reduced, lanceolate, incised; lower petiolate, upper sessile or clasping.
Heads 8–15+, in corymb- or umbel-like arrays, radiate; peduncles glabrous; bracts absent or inconspicuous.
Calyculi conspicuous.
Involucres campanulate.
Phyllaries 8, 13 or 21, 5–8 mm, dark green, surfaces glabrous or sparsely pubescent.
Ray florets 8 or 13; rays 10–15+ mm.
Disc florets 30–45+; corolla tubes 3–4 mm, limbs 3.5–4.5 mm.
Fruits 2.5–3.5 mm, glabrous; pappi 5–7 mm.
2n=46.
The two varieties of Packera bolanderi have been treated as species by some authors. However, the morphological characteristics used to distinguish them vary widely within some populations. Although the morphological distinction is weak, habitat and elevation records lend support for recognizing two varieties.
as described under Packera bolanderi
Perennials, 20-50+ cm; fibrous-rooted (caudices creeping). Stems 1 or 2-3, loosely clustered, glabrous. Basal leaves (and proximal cauline) petiolate; blades ± orbiculate to oblong, or lyrate (lateral lobes 1-3 pairs, sinuses usually rounded, midribs usually winged), 50-120+ × 30-70+ mm, bases cordate to subcordate, margins shallowly to deeply incised. Cauline leaves gradually reduced (petiolate or sessile and clasping; lanceolate, incised). Heads 8-15+ in corymbiform or subumbelliform arrays. Peduncles ebracteate or inconspicuously bracteate, glabrous. Calyculi conspicuous. Phyllaries (8), 13, or 21, dark green, 5-8 mm, glabrous or sparsely tomentose proximally. Ray florets 8 or 13; corolla laminae 10-15+ mm. Disc florets 30-45+; corolla tubes 3-4 mm, limbs 3.5-4.5 mm. Cypselae 2.5-3.5 mm, glabrous; pappi 5-7 mm. 2n = 46.The two varieties of Packera bolanderi have been treated as species. The morphologic characteristics used to distinguish the varieties vary widely within some populations. Presence or absence of multicellular hairs has been used to separate the varieties; that trait is also variable. The morphologic distinction is weak; habitat and elevation records lend support for recognizing two varieties.