It is native to California and the Northwestern United States to Montana.

It grows in moist habitat, often in bare or disturbed soils.

[1][2][3][4] Diplacus nanus is a hairy annual herb growing at ground level or erect to 10 centimeters tall.

The oppositely arranged purple-green leaves are oval or oblong and up to 2.5 centimeters long.

The tubular, wide-faced flower is usually magenta or purple[5] with two yellow stripes in the mouth, but is occasionally all yellow.