Description: Long-lived perennial with woody taproot, cluster of leaves, and flower stalks, to 45 cm (18 in.) tall. Leaves basal, 4 - 10 cm (1.5 - 4 in.) long, 2 - 7 cm (to 2.6 in.) wide, oblong-ovate to rhombic-ovate, covered with silvery fine down. Inflorescence with a solitary flower head on a leafless flower stalks. Flower heads radiate, to 10 cm (4 in.) across; ray florets 34 - 40, yellow, 2 cm (0.8 in.) long; disk florets yellow. Fruit an achene, small, dry, thin-walled, covered with silky hairs 2 mm (0.08 in.) long, bears two awns. Time of flowering: April to May.
Habitat: Dry, relatively barren areas of gypsum badlands, and in partially eroded soils containing gypsum. Elevations: 355 - 725 m (1,165 - 2,380 ft).
Range: In Clark County, Nevada, restricted to the Lake Mead area along the North Shore Road from Las Vegas Wash to Overton. Also known to occur in Utah and Arizona.
Comments: Silverleaf sunray is one of the most impressive members of the sunflower family to be found in the desert. Differs from Panamint daisy (E. nudicaulis) by its numerous and shorter ray florets of 2 cm (vs. 4 cm), wider flower head, and longer leaf blade of 10 cm (vs. 6 cm).