Great Basin nemophila is a loosely erect, ascending, or somewhat prostrate plant with branched stems from 10-30 cm long. The weak stems are angled with alternate leaves. The stems are also covered with fine, short, backward prickles. The leaves are1-3 cm long, thin with a narrow central lobe or blade and 2 pairs of narrow, spreading lateral lobes. The edge of the blades and petioles are lined with tiny hairs.
The flower stems arise off of the stem opposite the leaves. The calyx lobes are broadly lanceolate, 2-3 mm long and covered with tiny, bristly hairs along their edges. The flowers are tiny with lavender to whitish corollas barely 2 mm long.
Great Basin nemophila may be found on moist wooded slopes, in thickets, or occasionally in open places from the foothills to moderate elevation in the mountains.
Great Basin nemophila may be found from southern British Columbia south along the eastern side of the Cascades Mts. to northern California and east to Montana and Colorado.
