Clarkia bottae produces spindly, waxy stems which may approach a meter in height, and sparse narrow leaves.

The flower is a bowl shaped bloom with lavender or pinkish-purple petals, often lighter in color toward the base and speckled with red, each 1 to 3 centimeters long.

The stigma protrudes from the corolla and is surrounded by shorter stamens.

Clarkia bottae is endemic to the mountains of southern California.

It is found in chaparral and coastal scrub plant communities.