It is native to California and adjacent sections of Oregon and Nevada, where it grows in dry mountain habitat of various types.

It is a hairy, erect perennial herb growing 20 to 90 centimeters in height.

The fruit is a silky-hairy legume pod up to 4.5 centimeters long containing several seeds.

[2] The bloom period is the months of June, July, August, and September.

The host for this plant include, the Arrowhead Blue butterfly, bees, and hummingbirds.