The plant generally has a large basal rosette and smaller leaves further up the stem, each with 5–9 nearly round leaflets.

The fruit is a silique (pod) up to 2.5 cm (1 in) long,[citation needed] containing 15–22 seeds.

Common names include snapweed and shotweed for the plant's tendency to throw seeds when touched.

[2] It is native to western North America from Alaska to California to Colorado, where it grows in moist mountain habitats.

The plant often throws its seeds when touched, which can cause irritation if they contact the eyes.