This plant is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it is found in arid habitats such as desert woodlands and scrub.

The upper surface of the leaf is green and hairy while the underside is duller in color and scaly.

The flower is roselike when new, with rounded white petals and a center filled with many thready stamens and pistils.

The ovary of the flower remains after the white petals fall away, leaving many plumelike lavender styles, each 3 to 5 centimeters long.

Fallugia paradoxa is considered valuable for erosion control in desert areas where it grows.