It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada foothills, such as the Red Hills (Tuolumne County), of California, where it grows in chaparral, woodland, and forest.

This uncommon perennial wildflower grows from a red or brown-coated bulb up to 7 centimeters wide.

The inflorescence may be a meter long and is composed of many flowers, each with six tepals which are white with a purple midvein.

The tepals are narrow, up to 3 centimeters long, and curl back as they spread open.

Each ephemeral flower opens in the evening and closes by the following morning.