It is native to the northwestern United States as far south as the Sierra Nevada, where it grows in mountainous habitat, such as forests, meadows, and talus.

It is a perennial herb producing an erect stem from a taproot, reaching a maximum height around two meters.

The lance-shaped or oval leaves are up to 12 centimeters long and toothed or lobed along the edges.

Each flower is under a centimeter long and white to greenish or brownish in color.

It is surrounded by a calyx of pointed sepals coated in black glandular hairs.