Phacelia linearis is an annual herb producing a branching or unbranched erect stem up to tall. It is coated in soft or stiff hairs. The leaves are linear or lance-shaped and sometimes divided into several narrow, pointed lobes. The hairyinflorescence is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is up to 1 cm long and light purple in color with fused petals forming a paler tubular throat; they have five stamens. Flowers bloom April to June.