[1] It is native to the west coast of North America from California to Alaska, where it is a resident of coastal plant communities such as those in marshes and beaches.

Its foliage and stems are green to rusty red or purplish and the plant may be hairy to hairless.

The fleshy leaves are green, often with red edges and veining, and are up to 15 centimeters in length on large plants.

The flower head is a cup of thick erect or recurved green phyllaries.

The head produces copious amounts of white latex, especially in the early stages of blooming.