Sphaeralcea coccinea var. elata is an upright perennial with pubescent herbage. The leaf blades are pinnately divided with the lateral divisions of the leaf less than two-thirds the length of the midlobe. The petals are orange-red and 10-20mm long. Sphaeralcea coccinea var. elata can be found in dry roadsides and on dry slopes at lower to middle elevation.