It grows in chaparral, oak woodland, and coastal sage scrub communities up to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) elevation.

Hesperocnide tenella is an annual plant with slender erect stems that do not exceed 50 centimeters.

The pistillate flowers have 2 to 4 sepals that are equal and fused to almost the tip, and one ovary.

The fruit produced by the flowers are lenticular achenes and are enclosed by the calyx.

Media related to Hesperocnide tenella at Wikimedia Commons