[3] It occurs in many types of open habitat, including deserts, chaparral, foothills, rocky cliffs, sagebrush, and prairie.

[4] Stanleya pinnata is a perennial herb or shrub producing several erect stems reaching up to about 1.5 metres (4+11⁄12 ft) in maximum height.

Each flower has four narrow yellowish sepals which open to reveal four bright yellow petals[5] each up to 2 centimetres (0.79 in) long.

It has been used as a Native American traditional medicinal plant and food source, including by the Hopi, Zuni, Paiute, Navajo, Kawaiisu, and Tewa peoples.

[7] Some of the plant's amino acids use selenium from the soil in place of sulfur, making it highly toxic to animals.