Thelesperma megapotamicum is a perennial, herbaceous (or slightly woody), flowering plant in the Asteraceae family native to sections of the Americas.

The inflorescence bears several flower heads each in a cuplike involucre of phyllaries with purple-tinged, pointed lobes with white edges.

[5] In North America, the plant grows in disturbed places in sand or clay, oak or juniper woodlands, desert scrub or yellow pine forests at elevations of 300 to 2,900 m (980 to 9,510 ft) from sea level.

[3] As of December 2024[update], the conservation group NatureServe listed Thelesperma megapotamicum as Secure (G5) worldwide due to the species occurring in a large variety of habitats and having no apparent vulnerabilities.

[8] Native American groups such as the Hopi and Navajo use this plant to make herbal teas, as a medicinal remedy and a yellow dye.