It is commonly known as white rhatany, crimson-beak, and chacate in Spanish (cosahui in the state of Sonora).

It is found in drier environments of the southwestern United States from California to Texas, and in northern Mexico.

The leaves are grey-green to greenish, finely-haired, narrow and only one-half to three-quarters of an inch long.

The color of the plant and branches is grayish-green to gray, or whitish-gray, to dull browns or tinged with red.

The shrub is adapted to dry, desert environments, but it can take advantage of high soil moisture.