Erect winter to summer annual with small fleshy leaves, to 0.5 m tall. Halogeton typically invades disturbed arid and semi-arid sites with alkaline to saline soils.
Plant tissues accumulate salts from lower soil horizons.
The salts leach from dead plant material, increasing topsoil salinity and favoring halogeton seed germination and establishment. Some salt in the foliage consists of soluble oxalates toxic to livestock, especially sheep. Symptoms of poisoning include staggering and muscular spasms. Toxicity of plant material depends on environmental conditions, plant maturity, and the condition of livestock. As little as 12 ounces of foliage can be fatal to poorly nourished animals.