Dyssodia papposa is an annual plant with opposite, narrowly pinnately-divided leaves and flower heads of reddish phyllaries and yellow-rayed flowers. Phyllaries and leaves often bear conspicuous elongate to nearly round glands on the surface (see flowering head above). It is reported to grow up to 50 cm tall, but most plants in Wisconsin are less than 30 cm tall.

Dyssodia papposa is native of the U.S.A., but is introduced in Wisconsin where it is found chiefly along roadsides. In the last few years there have been conspicuous populations along the gravelly edges of major highways in eastern Wisconsin during the Fall.