It is native to the central United States, and its natural habitat is on glades, sandy areas, or bluffs with rock outcrops.

Its leaves are up to 5 centimetres (2 in) long, linear, very narrow, succulent, and found at the base of the plant.

The flowers, which only open for a couple of hours in the early afternoon, have 5 to 8 rounded petals, 2 sepals, 30 to 45 stamens, and a pistil with a thin style.

[6] It is native to New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois.

[8] It is found primarily in the areas of the Great Plains and Ozark and Ouachita Mountains in the United States.