It is native to the Sierra Nevada and its foothills in California, and it has been observed in the mountains near Carson City, Nevada.

It grows in moist areas in the mountains and disturbed, rocky soils.

[2][3][4][5] It is a hairy annual herb growing up to about 18 centimeters tall.

The oppositely arranged leaves are linear in shape and up to 3 centimeters long.

The tubular, wide-faced flower may be yellow, purple, or bicolored, and some populations have more than one color type.