The species is native to the western United States from California to Wyoming, where it grows in moist spots, such as ponds or wet grasslands, sometimes just at the edge of the water or partially submerged.

It is an annual herb producing an erect stem to a maximum height around 30 centimeters.

The inflorescence bears showy flowers which are quite similar in appearance to those of some species in sister genus Downingia.

The stamens are fused into a single unit tipped with tiny toothlike anthers.

[citation needed] The genus is named for Thomas Conrad Porter.