The specific epithet uniflora means "one-flowered",[6] a characteristic that distinguishes this species from others in the genus Clintonia.

[9] Clintonia uniflora is native to western North America, from southern Alaska to central California, extending eastward into southwestern Alberta and northwestern Montana.

It is also associated with western white pine (Pinus monticola), Alaska cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), and noble fir (Abies procera).

Companion species in the understory include threeleaf foamflower (Tiarella trifoliata), twinflower (Linnaea borealis), and Canadian bunchberry (Cornus canadensis).

[15] The plant is not considered palatable but it is of at least minor importance as food for some wildlife species including birds, elk, and deer.

Frugivorous birds are the only reported dispersers of the seeds, which remain viable in the ground for at least a couple of years.