It is native to the western United States where it grows in many types of habitat.

It is an annual herb producing a stem with a few branches that reaches up to about 40 centimeters in maximum height.

The leaves are linear to oblong in shape and up to 5 centimeters long.

The plant herbage is very hairy to bristly, generally rough in texture.

The inflorescence is a length of developing fruits tipped with one or more open flowers.