It is a perennial herb native to the southwestern United States, including the desert regions.

It is stemless, producing leaves and inflorescence at ground level from a taproot.

The leaves are erect on petioles of a few centimeters in length, with a fleshy blade dissected into waxy multilobed leaflets.

The inflorescence arises on a stout purple or greenish peduncle up to about 14 centimeters tall.

At the top is a rounded cluster of purple flowers sheathed in purple-veined bracts.