[5] The stem is erect, angled, covered in fine hairs that may be appressed to spreading, 5 to 40 cm in height, and may be simple or branched in morphology.

[5] The flowers of the flatspine sheepburr are blue to purple, radially symmetrical, and arranged in racemes that may extend from 2 to 8 inches as they mature.

Bracts, sepals, stalks, and leaves are similarly covered in fine hairs that range from appressed to spreading.

[9] Lappula occidentalis is native to North America and polar regions of Europe and Asia.

[4] Due to the nature of the fruit of the flatspine stickseed, animals such as sheep may aid in the spread of the forb to habitats disturbed by livestock.