Stems to 10 dm; adventitious roots at proximal nodes. Flowering branches weak, (0.4–)0.6–1.5 dm, appressed-pubescent. Leaves: petiole 0–3 mm, pilose; blade 10–40 × 10–30 mm, base rounded or tapered, apex obtuse, abaxial surface strigose, adaxial with white, pustule-based trichomes. Inflorescences congested to open; peduncle 20–50 mm, appressed-pubescent. Pedicels 0.5–2.5 mm, appressed-pubescent. Flowers odorless; hypanthium 1.4–2 × 2.3–2.6 mm; sepals 1.5–2 × 0.2–0.5 mm; petals 2.5–4 × 1–1.5 mm; filaments 1.2 × 0.5 mm; anthers 0.4–0.6 mm; styles 1–1.2 mm. Capsules 1.5–2 × 2–2.5 mm. Seeds 1–1.5 mm.

Flowering Mar–Jun. Dry, rocky sites, open to sparsely forested areas; (30–)400–1300(–1700) m; Calif., Oreg., Wash.

Whipplea modesta grows on the west side of the Cascade and Coast ranges. In Washington, it is known only from Clallam County.