It is native to the coastline of western North America from British Columbia to northern California, where it grows in sandy habitat.

It is a low perennial herb or subshrub growing in a clump or mat no more than 30 centimetres (12 in) tall.

The flower is purple in color with a white patch on its banner that fades pinkish.

The fruit is a hairy legume pod 3 or 4 centimeters long containing up to 12 seeds.

It is a host to the local butterfly species Glaucopsyche piasus, the Arrowhead Blue.