It is native to much of North America, including most of Canada, and the western and northeastern United States.

It is a biennial or perennial herb growing one or more erect stems from a small caudex.

There is a basal clump of widely lance-shaped leaves about the caudex, each up to 8 centimeters long.

The top of the stem is occupied by a narrow inflorescence of flowers which are usually white, but sometimes light pink.

The fruit is a straight, erect silique up to 10 centimeters long containing two rows of winged seeds.