The leaves are oval or oblong in shape and measure up to 8 centimetres (3+1⁄4 in) long[2] by 4 wide.

[3][4] The seeds are dispersed by animals that eat the fruit, including birds and bears.

[3] The plant is native to western North America from British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon, east to Alberta and Montana and south through the Rocky Mountains to Arizona and New Mexico.

[5][3][4][6][7] It occurs in the understory of mature forests, such as those composed of grand fir and Rocky Mountain maple.

Other associated plants include white spiraea, ninebark, Scouler willow, Sitka alder, thinleaf huckleberry, pinegrass, queencup beadlily, and sweetscented bedstraw.