[3] Rumfordia connata is a shrub or rarely perennial herb growing to 2 metres (6.6 ft) high and forming conspicuous masses more than a yard in diameter.

[2][3] The inflorescences consist of a lax panicle bearing capitula (heads) on long, naked peduncles.

The outer involucres resemble the foliage and are laxly spreading, shaped oval, elliptic to oblong-lanceolate.

The achenes are glabrous, striate, and shaped obovoid, 1 mm (0.039 in) long and are slightly compressed obliquely, and are loosely enclosed by the palea which are about twice their length.

[2][3] Rumfordia connata is endemic to the high elevations of the Sierra de la Laguna, the primary mountain range at the southern end of Baja California Sur, Mexico.