The plant is an annual herb wildflower that grows in California, and adjacent areas of Nevada and Oregon.

It is found on slopes at elevations between 1,100–3,000 metres (3,600–9,800 ft), in meadows, road banks, and woodlands.

It grows in the following plant communities:[1] Bioregional Distribution includes:[2] The flowers of Nemophila spatulata are bowl-shaped, white or blue and generally veined and dotted.

The leaves are opposite, 5–30 mm long, and the petiole is winged.

The lower blades have 3–5 lobes, are shallow and generally entire.