It is native to western North America south from central Washington (state) to Baja California and east to Utah and Arizona, where it is common in a number of habitat types.

[1][2][3] This is an annual herb producing an erect stem to a maximum height just over one-half meter (1 ft 8 in).

The stem and foliage are dotted with dark glandular hairs and the plant is sometimes scented.

The thin leaves are linear to oval-shaped, with the lower ones often lobed, approaching 10 centimeters (4 in) in maximum length.

The face is fringed with 3–14 (typically 5) broad, 3-lobed ray florets which are usually white, but sometimes yellow.