[2][3][4][5] It grows in alluvial fans, rocky slopes, open scrub and woodlands.

[6] Adenophyllum porophylloides is an aromatic desert subshrub with several branching stems reaching a maximum height near 60 centimeters.

The sparse, clawlike leaves are divided into sharply pointed linear lobes that bear prominent resin glands.

The flower head is cylindrical and lined with phyllaries with large resin glands on them.

The tip of the head blooms with bright yellow to reddish orange disc florets.