[2] This showy wildflower is native to the western United States from California to Idaho, where it is a resident of moist meadows and vernal pool ecosystems.

This annual grows on a branching erect stem with small diamond-shaped leaves at intervals.

The flower has two long upper lobes which may be flat and straight or curl back, and are usually dark-veined blue.

The three lower lobes are fused into one three-toothed surface, which is dark-veined blue with two bright yellow blotches rimmed with white in the center.

The stamens are fused together into an erect purple stalk bearing the dark anthers.