It is endemic to California, where it grows in the mountains of the Central Coast, mainly in chaparral habitat.

It is a hairy annual herb producing an erect stem up to half a meter tall from a basal rosette.

The hairy leaves have lightly toothed edges and are up to about 5 centimeters long.

The nodding inflorescence produces flowers with yellow petals a few millimeters long with red markings near the bases.

The fruit is a straight or coiling capsule.