It is native to California and Nevada, and it is known but rare in Washington.

It is known from many habitat types, including mountains and plateaus.

The leaves may grow to about 5 cm (2.0 in) long and are made up of several oval shaped leaflets.

The inflorescence is an array of 3 to 13 small flowers, each white with purplish veins and tips.

The fruit is a rounded legume pod 1 to 2 cm (0.39 to 0.79 in) long which dries to a very thin papery texture and has a coat of hairs.