Rhizomes horizontal, shallow, internodes (0.6-)1-4 cm. Leaves: petiole (3.5-)6-26 cm, sparsely crisped-hirsute. Leaf blade not variegate, cordate to almost reniform, 4-6.5 × 7-10.5 cm, apex broadly rounded-acute to rounded; surfaces abaxially sparsely appressed-hirsute, adaxially glabrous or sparsely hirsute along veins, marginal hairs perpendicular to margin or curved toward apex. Flowers descending; peduncle 2-3.5 cm; false calyx tube cylindric, externally reddish, at least in part, glabrous or sparsely hirsute, internally white, rarely with longitudinal red stripes, with white or purple hairs; distal portion of sepal strongly reflexed at anthesis, 4-8 mm, apex acute to apiculate or short-acuminate, abaxially purple, glabrous or sparsely hirsute, adaxially red, puberulent with crisped pale or purple hairs; pollen sacs 1-1.5 mm, sterile tip of connective on inner stamens purple or brown, 0.5-1 mm, shorter than pollen sacs. 2 n = 26.

Flowering spring-summer (May-Jul). Wet places, usually near creeks, in understory of conifer forests; 1100-1900 m; Calif.

Asarum lemmonii is endemic to the Sierra Nevada.