It is endemic to California, where it is from the forests and woodlands of several of eastern and western mountain ranges.

It is an annual herb producing an erect, glandular stem to around half a meter in maximum height.

The top of the stem is occupied by the inflorescence, with open flowers and closed buds.

The sepals remain fused as the flower blooms from one side.

The fruit is a small, hard body 2 or 3 millimeters long containing 1 or 2 seeds.