Female brown with variably expressed marginal orange patch on the hindwing. Underside of both sexes is light blue-gray with black spots. Underside of forewing often suffused with smoky gray.
Males patrol around the host plants all day to find females.
Chrysalids hibernate in leaf litter. Various Eriogonum species, especially Sulphur-flower. Flower nectar, especially from Eriogonum . Sun-exposed rocky slopes and flats with host plant colonies. G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.