It is endemic to California,[1] and grows in forest habitat.

This is a perennial herb growing from a ginger-scented rhizome which extends vertically deep into the ground.

It forms a clump of elaborately white-veined leaves which are heart-shaped to round in shape and coated in curved hairs.

It bears a solitary flower near the ground on a short peduncle.

The flower has no petals but three curving, hairy, brownish or maroon sepals which are whitish with red stripes on their inner surfaces.