Stebbins’ morning-glory is found in gabbro soils and is also known to occur on serpentine soils. Two of the three serpentine sites for Stebbins’ morning-glory in Nevada County are possibly extirpated, but the species continues to persist at one serpentine site in that county and an additional serpentine site near Shingle Springs in El Dorado County.

While an above-ground shoot may appear in the same spot for only several years, other portions of this plant’s extensive root system might survive much longer.

Flowering occurs from April through July and is insect pollinated, primarily by bees. Though initially thought to be an obligate seeding species, it seems to have the capability to recruit by seed or rhizomatous resprout after fire or other disturbance. Seeds require scarification or heat treatment for successful germination. It has a seedbank that may persist for over 60 years. Plants grow from seed rapidly and flower profusely 2-3 years after fire.

Stebbins’ morning-glory has stems of up to 3.3 feet in length that generally lie flat on the ground or climb nearby vegetation and rocks. Leaves are palmately lobed with 7 to 9 lobes. White, creamy yellow, and sometimes pink-tinged flowers are on stalks 1 to 5 inches long and bear two leaf-like bracts in addition to being generally glabrous. Flowering occurs April through July.