It is native to southern Oregon and northern California, where it grows in rocky subalpine mountain habitat.

It produces a basal rosette of many thick, fleshy oval- or spoon-shaped leaves up to 9 cm (4 in) long.

The specific epithet cotyledon ("small cup") refers to the shape of the leaves.

Near the flowers are small, pointed bracts tipped with resin glands.

This plant[3] and the Sunset group of cultivars[4] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.