[4] The oppositely arranged leaves vary in size across individual plants but they are usually oval, 3–5 centimeters (1+1⁄4–2 in) long, smooth or serrated along the edges, and light green in color with a rough texture.

[8][9] Lewis' mock-orange occurs from northwestern California in the Sierra Nevada, north through the Pacific Northwest to southern British Columbia, and east to Idaho and Montana.

[5][6] The foliage of Lewis' mock orange is of moderate importance as winter forage for elk and deer in British Columbia, Idaho, and Montana.

[6] The shrub is native to relatively arid regions of the American West which experience frequent wildfires, and is therefore quite well adapted to fire.

Although mock-orange is typically completely top-killed by fires, it will enthusiastically resprout from rhizomes and root crowns afterward.

[11] Lewis' mock orange palatability for Rocky Mountain elk is much greater after fire, with 36.3% of twigs browsed compared to only 1.3% on adjacent unburned sites.

The hard wood is useful for making hunting and fishing tools, snowshoes, pipes, combs, cradles, netting shuttles, and furniture.

[2] The plant is protected by Idaho state law along with other native wildflowers and shrubs, and it is illegal to collect wild specimens on public property for export, sale, or transport without approval.