It is endemic to California, where it is known from just a few occurrences in the higher mountain peaks just south of the San Francisco Bay Area, including Mt.

Hamilton and Mount Boardman in the Diablo Range.

It is a small, hairy annual herb producing an erect stem up to 25 centimeters tall.

The fleshy, toothed leaves are a centimeter long or less.

The plant is named for late local botanist Helen Sharsmith.