It is native to much of western North America, where it grows in many habitats from alpine peaks to low-elevation scrub.

It is a perennial herb which varies in appearance, especially across subspecies and climates.

The thick leaves are usually fork-shaped with a number of clawlike lobes and 1 to 4 centimeters long.

The flowers appear in a rounded, dense cluster atop the stem.

Each flower is bell-shaped to funnel-shaped and white with a pale yellow throat and protruding yellow or white stamens.