Leaves form as a basal rosette; flower stalks also emerge at ground level. Leaves and flower stalks have a dense covering of short hairs. Some of the hairs have reddish bases; sepals may have glands.
Annual, often develops stout leafy stems; leaves narrow and long, mostly pinnatifid into toothed or rounded lobes; flowers have 4 yellow notched petals that age red, mostly open late afternoon, stigmas have 4 narrow lobes; fruits round in cross-section.
Habitat
Flat desert habitats, including creosote bush scrub, Joshua tree woodland, and Pinyon-juniper woodland.
Flower Characteristics
Each flower has heart-shaped petals up to 2 inches in length which fade to red with age; opens at dusk and closes the following morning.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Nearly stemless above ground; blades vary between large and small; 2 inches to 11 inches long; larger blades are 1 to 2-3/4 inches wide; lance-like leaves divided into toothed or rounded lobes, typically narrow.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Ovary and capsule densely hairy with spreading white hairs; capsules 1 to 1-3/4 inches long; 1/4 inch wide at base; thick and woody; upright and straight; 4-angled; tapering to narrow tip.
Brown, 1/8 inch.