It is native to the western United States, where it is widespread from the western Great Plains to the Uintah Basin, south to New Mexico and north to Montana.

It is found in a variety of habitats, from dry lowlands to above the timberline.

[2] It is a perennial that produces a cream colored flowers in the spring.

This species is highly variable through its range.

Due to its occupation of many ecologically distinct and geographically isolated habitats, many subspecies and variety have been named.