The plant is most commonly found carpeting the ground in shady areas, such as in the understory of a cool forest or chaparral woodlands.

Pterostegia drymarioides is a very small annual spreading or climbing plant with very thin, hairy stems.

The tiny leaves are lobed or heart-shaped and may be green or pink.

The plant may sprawl across the ground in a thin layer or may form small patches here and there.

The plant bears tiny bright pink flowers.