It is native to western North America, including southwestern Canada and much of the western United States, including the Sierra Nevada in California, where it grows in many types of habitat.

In general, it is a perennial herb growing up to 70 centimeters tall with a branching stem.

The plentiful leaves are up to 30 centimeters in length and generally toothed or lobed along the edges.

The fruit is an achene with a brownish or reddish body a few millimeters long.

At the tip of the body is a large pappus made up of 15 to 30 silvery, hairy scales.