[2][3] This brushy perennial plant is native to the western United States (Nevada, eastern California, southeastern Oregon).

[4][5] Chaetadelpha wheeleri forms a low bush with plentiful erect stems covered in very narrow, long and pointed leaves.

Branchlets emerge from the stems and each bears a cylindrical flower which opens at the end into a star-shaped white or pale purple flower with five ray florets.

The center of each head is filled with curly pollen-dusted anthers.

This species is found most often in sand and scrub, particularly in desert regions.