smooth desert-dandelion

Malacothrix glabrata is an annual plant that grows to a height of 5-40 cm. It has (1-)3-5 stems that are typically ascending to erect, often branching at both the base and upper parts. The leaves are usually pinnately lobed, and the involucres are 9-17 mm in size. The plant produces pale yellow or white flowers with ligules that are exserted 9-15 mm. The cypselae are cylindrical to fusiform, 2-3.3 mm long, with persistent pappi. It has 3-porate pollen and a chromosome count of 2n = 14.