It is native to the Great Basin, where it occurs in western Nevada and just over the border in Mono County, California.

It is a bushy, woolly shrub with many erect, spineless branches.

[2] The soft, woolly leaves are narrow and threadlike, growing up to 4 centimeters long.

The inflorescence bears 4 to 6 flower heads which are each enveloped in four or five woolly phyllaries.

Each head contains up to four or five light yellow flowers each around a centimeter long.