It is endemic to Colorado in the United States, where it is limited to a small area in the San Juan Mountains.

The leaves are linear in shape and succulent in texture, resembling those of stonecrops (Sedum), giving the species its name.

[2] This plant is limited to the alpine climates of the high San Juan Mountains.

[2] The first population was in an uncertain location and when searchers were unable to find it the plant was feared extinct.

In the meantime a second occurrence was found on Half Peak; it is made up of two stands of plants totalling 1100 individuals.