It is native to western North America from Yukon and British Columbia south through the Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Plains.

Symptoms of locoism include depression, blindness, loss of coordination, emaciation, tremors, paralysis, constipation, deterioration of the coat, decreased libido, abortion, seizures,[4] and death.

It may also predispose cattle to high mountain brisket disease, a type of congestive heart failure.

Animals affected include cattle, sheep, horses, goats,[6] and wildlife such as elk and mule deer.

[3] Cattle tend to prefer the flowers and fruits of the plants, which contain higher levels of swainsonine than the leaves.