Range is from southeastern Arizona to Sonora, Mexico.
Plants occur on rocky slopes in semi-desert grassland from southern Arizona to Sonora, Mexico, limited by mining and road construction, habitat degradation due to grazing, and illegal collection. Occurs at elevations from 1100 to 2400 meters. Plants shrivel from serious drought but plump up again when watered or rained on. Leaves are 6 to 20 cm long, 0.8 to 2 cm wide, dark green in color with white bud imprinting above and below. Leaf margins are smooth with conspicuous white fibers.