The genus name comes from the Greek geraios ("old man"), referring to the white hairs on the fruits.

[2] G. canescens bears yellow sunflower-like flowers on slender, hairy stems.

[3] The plant is native to western North America, specifically Arizona, Nevada, California, and Utah.

A drought-resistant annual plant, it can be found in the California,[4] Mojave, and Sonoran Deserts.

It grows below sea level, from −40 to 1,130 m (−130 to 3,700 ft), in sandy desert soils along with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata).