It is endemic to Colorado in the United States, where it occurs in the Arkansas River Valley in Fremont and Chaffee Counties.

[3] This plant is a biennial herb or perennial subshrub generally growing no more than 30 centimeters tall.

Its hairy white stems curve upward, forming a ball shape.

Associated plants include Pinus edulis, Juniperus monosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Cercocarpus montanus, Artemisia tridentata, Eriogonum jamesii, Oryzopsis hymenoides, Oryzopsis micrantha, Mentzelia multiflora var.

leucopetala, Bouteloua gracilis, Rhus trilobata, Heterotheca villosa, Cylindropuntia imbricata, and Opuntia phaeacantha.