It is commonly found in the Mojave Desert, and is also found in scattered locations in California, Arizona, and Sonora, Mexico. It does not occur outside of North America and is common in the Mojave Desert on old junipers (Juniperus californica), where it also occurs on and pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla) in Joshua Tree National Park. In Joshua Tree National Monument it has been found in the Little San Bernardino Mountains, Ryan Mountain, and upper Juniper Flats. It is also growing in other California locations including Banning Pass, the San Jacinto Mountains, and in the Santa Monica Mountains, where it was collected by H.E. Hasse, and on Santa Cruz Island growing on oak. It was reported growing on juniper in the Mojave Desert's Granite Mountains.