[3] It grows up to one meter in height and has sparse, linear leaves which are between 20 and 80 mm in length and have up to 3 lobes.

[4] The flowers, which consist of a pinkish-red to yellow calyx and yellow-green floral tube, appear in panicles or spikes between June and September in its native range.

[4] This species occurs on rocky slopes and arid plains and is associated with sagebrush scrub as well as pinyon pine or juniper woodland.

[4] It is native to Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming.

[5] The Edith's checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha) in some areas such as Gunnison County, Colorado feeds nearly exclusively on the Wyoming paintbrush.