This plant is native to western North America, where it is a common resident of varied forest and woodland habitats.

This clarkia grows a spindly stem not exceeding a meter in height and occasional small leaves.

The flower has four petals which are bright pink to lavender and often speckled with darker pink shades.

The petals are diamond-shaped to spoon-shaped and one to one and a half centimeters long.

There are eight stamens, each holding a large anther bearing blue-gray pollen.