Its range is dramatically decreased from its historical distribution, and the plant is a federally listed endangered species.

This is an annual herb producing an erect or spreading branched stem which is variable in height.

The rounded or oval, toothed leaves are up to 10 centimeters long and clasp the stem, mainly around the lower part.

This endangered plant once occurred across the San Joaquin Valley and well into the surrounding coastal and Transverse Ranges, as well as the Sierra Nevada foothills.

As the Central Valley floor was converted to agriculture on a large scale, the plant was extirpated from there.