Description: Perennial herb to 100 cm (3.3 ft) tall. Leaves opposite, in 1-3 pairs in the lower portion of the plant, petioles (leaf stalks) to 10 cm (4 in.) long, blades round to 15 cm (6 in.) wide and long, leathery and rough textured. Inflorescence widely paniculate; flower stalks 60 - 100 cm (2 - 3.3 ft) high, comprising the upper three-quarters of the plant, internodes with sticky glutinous bands. Flowers pink to white, trumpet-shaped, about 3 cm (1.2 in.) long, and scattered about the widely branched top. Seeds conspicuously winged. Time of flowering: July to August.
Habitat: Found on gypsum soils on rolling hills and terraces in Mojave desert scrub and salt desert scrub. Frequently associated with Las Vegas bearpoppy. Elevations:
610 - 1,340 m (2,000 - 4,400 ft).
Range: Southwestern endemic of Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, with patchy distribution in southern Nevada. Known primarily east of Las Vegas, Frenchman Mountain, Muddy Mountains, and Gold Butte.
Comments: Sticky ringstem derives its name from the sticky glandular rings encircling the stem; plants are ungainly and spindly with large, fleshy leaves near the base.