Plants perennial. Roots single, to 30 × 1-2.5 cm. Leaves: cauline leaves scattered, crowded toward end of stems; blade gray-green, grooved or flat adaxially, 15-20 × 0.5-2 cm, apex acute, glabrous. Inflorescences: peduncle to 12 cm. Flowers lasting 2-4 days, 5-9 cm diam.; petals 200-250, in concentric rows, shining yellow; stamens to 10 mm; ovary 10-20-loculed. Seeds 75-200, dark brown, 1-1.8 mm, ca. 25% located within paired pockets. 2n = 18.

Flowering spring-fall. Sandy places, especially coastal dunes; 0-100 m; introduced; Calif.; Africa.

In California floras, Herrea elongata (Haworth) L. Bolus and Mesembryanthemum elongatum Haworth have been misapplied to Conicosia pugioniformis.