Compact, head-like clusters of brilliant orange flowers terminate leafy, simple or branched stems.

This flower is typical of the wet sandy soil and bogs of the pine barrens. The species name, Latin for yellow, refers to the flowers distinctive color when dried; when fresh, it is bright orange, differing from most of the Milkworts, which are pinkish, yellow, or white. P. cymosa is very similar, but taller, while P. nana has lemon-yellow flowers on stems only to 6 (15 cm) tall.