It is native to western United States from California to Montana,[2] where it grows in dry areas.

[3] Ionactis alpina is a perennial herb growing from a caudex and fibrous root system.

It produces a short, mostly erect, hairy stem up to 12 centimetres (4+3⁄4 in) in height.

They are up to about 1 cm (3⁄8 in) long, oval to lance-shaped and pointed, somewhat stiff and coated in hairs.

[4] The inflorescence bears solitary flower heads with purple-green phyllaries, 7–21 thin blue, purple, or occasionally white ray florets surrounding 19–50 long yellow disc florets.