Stems mostly 10–30 cm, divaricate and spreading with distal portions ascending, or curved proximally and erect distally. Flowers 1–10 per stem, outer sepals 1.5–2.5 mm.

Flowering Mar–Jul. Coastal sage scrub, chaparral, dry, sandy or rocky slopes and ridges; 0–500 m; Calif.; Mexico (Baja California).

Variety scoparium ranges from Mendocino County to Los Angeles County, with atypical plants south to San Diego County and northern Baja California.