It is native to the southwestern United States, where it grows in desert and plateau habitat.

It is a perennial herb or small shrub growing in a clump no more than 25 centimeters tall.

The stems have woody bases and green, thorn-tipped branches.

The leaves are up to 3 centimeters in length and generally oval in shape.

The flowers have winglike pairs of bright pink sepals and the keeled central petal is tipped with a yellowish beak, sometimes fringed at the tip.