It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Montana to far northern California; it is also known from Michigan.

This is an erect shrub approaching 3 meters in maximum height.

Its stem is red to purple in color, its woody parts green and hairless when new.

They are thin, light green, oval, and generally edged with glandular teeth.

This shrub is an important food plant for wild ungulates such as the Rocky Mountain Elk, it is browsed eagerly by many types of livestock, and the seed is consumed by many types of animals.