The plant is common in low-elevation hills, higher mountains, valleys, and grasslands across California from the coast to the Sierra Nevada, north into southern Oregon, and south into northern Baja California, Mexico.

Achyrachaena mollis has some invasive potential in introduced locations, but is not recorded as one of the more troublesome weeds.

Achyrachaena mollis is a flower which grows to approximately one foot in height on a strong, straight stem.

Atop the stem is a large, rounded bud which opens into a spherical cluster of flowers.

These silky white scales catch the wind, which allows the single-seeded fruits to be dispersed.