As is often the case with daisies, the bright green phyllaries of erigeron melanocephalus
provide the best means of identification; they are in two rows but approximately all of the same length, and are quite densely covered by flattened, black, glandular hairs. The 45 to 74 ray florets are usually white, less often pale purple. Ray corollas are about 0.4 inches long, and a little wider than those of many other erigeron species. At the center are over 100 yellow disc florets.
Plants produce one flowerhead per stem, at a height of up to 8 inches, though only up to 5 inches at higher elevations. Stems are usually purplish, and hairy towards the tip; the hairs are also mostly black. Leaves grow at the base, and sparingly along the stems. They are usually no more than 2 inches long, but up to 4 inches in favorable locations at lower elevations. Stem leaves are linear, and often somewhat twisted. Leaf faces are usually hairless. Leaf edges may have fine teeth, and are often purplish. Leaves have a prominent midvein, and no side veins.