[1] It is native to the coast of western North America from Oregon to Baja California, where it grows in open habitat on mountain slopes, hills, and canyonsides[2] up to an altitude of 6,600 feet (2,000 m).

[1] It is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing erect or leaning with a tall naked flowering stem.

The leaves are located on the lower part of the stem, each divided into sharp-pointed lobes.

The stem bears up to 15 widely spaced flowers, each in a cuplike calyx of red or green sepals.

The five petals are bright white, up to 1.3 centimeters long, and divided into three toothlike lobes at the tips.