[2] It is native to southwestern Oregon and northern and central California, where it grows in the coastal mountain ranges in local habitat types such as chaparral and forest.

It is a perennial herb producing spreading stems, generally decumbent in form, up to about 35 centimeters in maximum length, lined with narrow oval leaves each a few centimeter long.

The open flowers have pink or white winglike lateral sepals with hairy edges.

The petals are similar in color, the central one tipped with a white or yellow beak.

The fruit is a flattened green capsule up to a centimeter long containing hairy seeds.