[2][3][4] This uncommon plant is endemic to an area of the Great Basin region in the western United States, in northeastern California, southeastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho, and northwestern Nevada.

[2][5][6][7] It grows in dry volcanic soils, primarily on the Modoc Plateau volcanic plain, at elevations of 1,500–2,400 metres (4,900–7,900 ft).

[5] Dimeresia howellii is a very tiny annual flowering plant rarely exceeding 4 centimeters in height or width.

It forms a small tuft on the ground with several oval-shaped leaves, and is cobwebby at base and glandular above.

[5] The inflorescence has tiny white to purple bell-shaped flowers each a few millimeters long.