Smooth Chaff Flower is a perennial herb with white papery flowers. Stems are densely hairy. Leaf blade is inverted-lance shaped or spatula shaped, 1.5-2 cm long and 0.3-0.5 cm wide, tip obtuse to rounded. Stalkless flower-heads are ovoid to spherical, often hairy at base. Tepals are white, ovate-oblong, tip acute to ending suddenly in a sharp point. Stamens are 5, with yellow anthers. Staminodes are 3- or 4-toothed, about 1/2 as long as stamens. Stigma capitate. Smooth Chaff Flower is native to the American continent.