DeBeque phacelia is restricted to exposures of chocolate to purplish brown and dark charcoal gray alkaline clay soils derived from the Atwell Gulch and Shire members of the Wasatch Formation. These expansive clay soils are found on moderately steep slopes, benches and ridge tops adjacent to valley floors of the southern Piceance Basin in Mesa and Garfield counties, Colorado. On these slopes and soils, DeBeque phacelia usually grows only on one unique small spot of ground that shows a slightly different texture, color and crack pattern than the similar surrounding soils. We do not have a precise scientific description of the soil features required to support this species. The natural shrink-swell cracking process creates the conditions needed for the plants and seed bank to thrive.

The stems are typically 0.8 to 3 inches (2 to 8 centimeters) long, often branched at the base and mostly lying flat on the ground as a low rosette. Stems are often deep red and more or less hairy with straight and stiff hairs. Leaves are similarly hairy, reddish at maturity, 0.2 to 0.6 inches (5 to 15 millimeters) long, egg-shaped or almost rectangular with rounded corners, with bases abruptly tapering to a wedge-shaped point. Leaf margins are smooth or toothed. The tube-shaped flowers are yellowish white, on short stems; the five petals are 0.16 to 0.19 inches (4 to 5 millimeters) long; the stamens do not protrude beyond the petals. The elongated egg-shaped seeds are 0.6 to 0.8 inches (1.5 to 2 millemters) long with 6 to 12 crosswise corrugations and are blackish brown and somewhat iridescent.

DeBeque phacelia plants flower between late April and late June, and set seed from mid-May through late June. Individuals finish their life cycle by late June to early July, after which time they dry up and disintegrate or blow away, leaving no indication that the plants were present. The species grows in a habitat with wide temperature fluctuations, long drought periods and erosive saline soils. Upon drying, cracks form in the shrink-swell clay soils. Seeds plant themselves by falling into the cracks that close when wetted, thus covering the seeds. DeBeque phacelia seeds can remain dormant for 5 years - and probably longer - until the combination and timing of temperature and precipitation are optimal for germination.