[1] It is native to western North America from southwestern Canada to California to New Mexico, where it grows in many types of habitat.

Leaves near the base of the plant have blades up to 35 centimeters long which are divided into many narrow, subdivided lobes.

One of the main divisions of the Comanche, the Yapainuu, were named the yap eaters, whose chief was the famous Ten Bears.

More commonly referred to as the Yamparikas, this division roamed in the Northern Oklahoma area in historic times.

[2] This food root is called cawíitx in Nez Perce, sawítk in Sahaptin and yap in Comanche.