This southeastern segregate of purpurea was recently described by Nesom (2004; see also FNA 19). It is a weedy species that is often associated with frequently mowed areas. It is recorded from Ky. (including a coll. of D. Boone from GRAV), but most details have not yet been accumulated for mapping. G. argyrinea differs from purpurea in its smaller involucres (ca. 3-3.5 mm high versus 4-4.5 mm), with oblong-rounded to apiculate inner phyllaries (versus triangular-acute); and generally with more bisexual florets (usually 4-6 versus 3-4). Cauline leaves are just oblanceolate to obovate (versus often spathulate); basal leaves are more persistent through flowering; and plants are rarely taprooted (versus often). Plants appear more silvery in pubescence. Hairs on stems are "closely white-pannose, hairs usually individually evident" (versus "densely but loosely pannose or pannose-tomentose"). In purpurea, lower leaf surfaces have hairs with "basal cells persistent, expanded, glassy" (versus filiform to base).