[3][4] The plant is native to the Sierra Nevada and Modoc Plateau of California and adjacent parts of the Great Basin in southeastern Oregon and western Nevada.

[5] It grows in coniferous forest and chaparral habitats, including the lowest grassy hills—such as along the Sierra Nevada boundary with the Central Valley and agriculture.

Calochortus leichtlinii is a perennial herb producing an erect, unbranching stem up to 60 centimeters tall.

Each flower has three petals 1 to 4 centimeters long which are white, pinkish, or dull blue in color and spotted with yellow and dark red or black and hairy at the bases.

[8] These color patterns vary widely among different regional and local populations.