It is native to western North America from Alaska to Montana to California, where it grows in wet wooded habitat types.

It is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing up to about 45 centimeters tall.

They have rounded blades up to 10 centimeters wide and lobed, round-toothed edges.

The erect inflorescence bears up to 20 flowers, usually along one side of the stem.

The distinctive flower is cup-shaped with five white or violet-tinged petals which are usually, but not always, divided into three lance-shaped lobes.