[southwestdesertflora.com] Description, Habitat, Rarity: Duration: Annual Size: Up to 15 inches more or less (40 cm) Growth Form: Forb/herb; Plants stout, stems single or branching generally throughout, hairs straight and stiff, (strigose) and rough-hairy to bristly; hairs extending horizontally (spreading). Leaves: Green; leaves not divided into leaflets (simple), with a smooth margins (entire); linear to narrowly-lanceolate; straight stiff hair (bristles) that are extending horizontally (spreading), some of the hairs are bulbous at the base; the base leaves are whorled, the stem leaves (cauline) are usually opposite below and alternate above. Flower Color: White, flowers in 1's, occasionally clustered; flowering stem (inflorescence) a terminal (cyme); corolla mostly white with 5 minute secondary parts attached to the main structure (appendages) pale yellow in the center; sepals free; fruit a nutlet. Flowering Season: January or February to May Elevation: 500 to 1,200 feet (150-370 m). Habitat Preferences: Deserts, sand dune, sandy open areas, silty fine sand, creosote bush communities and Sonoran desert scrub. Recorded Range: Cryptantha ganderi is rare in the United States; it is found only in AZ and CA. In CA it is found in the Borrego Valley area and in AZ it is found in the Yuma area. It is also native to Baja California, Sonora and northwest Mexico. (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)