It is native to the Klamath Mountains and nearby ranges of northern California and Oregon.

[2] It grows in serpentine and other rocky soil types.

[3] This small onion plant grows from a reddish-brown bulb 1 or 2 cm (1⁄3 or 2⁄3 in) long.

It produces a short stem no more than 8 cm (3 in) long and two sickle-shaped leaves which are usually longer.

The inflorescence contains up to about 35 flowers, each with dark-veined pink tepals around 1 cm (1⁄3 in) long and sometimes toothed at the tips.