It is endemic to California, where it is known from the Central Coast and mountains and from the Sierra Nevada foothills.

The plant is variable across its intergrading subspecies, taking a decumbent to erect form with a stem up to about half a meter long.

The fan-shaped petals are up to 2.5 centimeters long and may be lavender to pink to deep red, sometimes fading to white or yellowish at the base.

It is known from about 20 occurrences on the coastline of San Luis Obispo County near Pismo Beach.

[1] This subspecies takes a decumbent form and the petals lack the red spot.