It is native to parts of northern California and southern Oregon, where it grows in several types of habitat, including alkaline wetlands and serpentine soils.

It is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing erect to a maximum height over one meter, the stem sometimes branching.

Leaves higher on the plant may clasp the stem at their bases.

The inflorescence is a dense, spikelike raceme of many mustardlike flowers with white, crinkly petals.

The fruit is a cylindrical silique 1 to 3 centimeters long with several seeds inside.