It is native to the Great Basin and Mojave Desert in the western United States, where it grows mainly in wet, alkaline soils such as those around hot springs.

There is a disjunct population in the Bruneau Valley of southwestern Idaho.

This is an annual herb producing a smooth, hairless stem which divides into several erect or upright branches which may exceed half a meter tall.

The flowers occur in a raceme at the top of each stem branch.

It hangs at the tip of the remaining flower receptacle.