[3] It has been recorded from the Kern Plateau, Mount Dana, Angora Peak, and the vicinity of Fallen Leaf Lake.

This mountain shrub grows to heights of 20 to 50 centimeters, producing many upright stems from a narrow trunk.

The evergreen foliage is dark green, glandular, sticky, and very aromatic.

The narrow inflorescence holds clusters of flower heads lined with rough, shiny, slightly hairy phyllaries and containing yellowish disc florets.

[5] The species is named for American forester Joseph Trimbel Rothrock, 1839 – 1922.