Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Alberta, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.

Habitat: Dry hillsides and sagebrush scablands to the ponderosa pine forests of the foothills.

Flowers: May-July

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Annual

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Annual, often broader than tall, with several stems, the branches ascending, simple to freely-forked, 3-15 cm. long, covered with fine, appressed hairs.

Leaves alternate, linear to linear-spatulate, 5-25 mm. long and 0.5-2 mm. broad, mostly basal, the lower branches nearly leafless;

Flowers sessile in crowded, short, linear-bracteate spikes; calyx tube 0.5-2 mm. long, the 4 lobes distinct and reflexed; petals lemon yellow, ovate, 1-2 mm. long; stamens 8, the filaments short; style exerted, 1.7-3 mm. long, the stigmas capitate: ovary inferior, 4-celled.

Capsule spindle-shaped, 4-8 mm. long.