[1]: 126 [2][3] The plant is native to the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico, where it grows in wet areas in dry desert and woodland habitat, such as streambeds.

[2][4] Baccharis sergiloides is a shrub producing many erect, branching stems approaching 2 m (6 ft) in maximum height.

The leaves generally fall by the time the plant blooms.

[2] The shrub is dioecious, with male and female plants producing flower heads of different types.

The head is enclosed in a layer of phyllaries which are glandular and sticky.