Shrubs mound-forming or erect, 0.5-2 m; young twigs densely white-tomentose. Leaf blades orbiculate-elliptic to elliptic, 1-2.5 × 1-1.5 cm. Fruits 6-8 mm diam. 2n = 52.

Flowering late spring. Chaparral on upland serpentine barrens; 300-800 m; Calif.

Subspecies montana is found on and around Mount Tamalpais, Marin County.