Stems erect, branches on well-developed plants few, virgate, many-flowered. Leaf blades linear to narrowly lanceolate. Inflorescences open racemes or panicles. Petals purple or laven­der, usually lighter toward base, with a purplish red spot near middle. 2n = 18.

Flowering May–Jul. Woodlands; 0–100 m; Calif.

Subspecies polyantha is relatively common in Fresno, Kern, Madera, and Tulare counties in the foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada, and is uncommon in the Tehachapi Mountains in Kern and Los Angeles counties. A report from Riverside County (cited in Calflora) is erroneous.