It ranges from Alaska down the west coast of Canada and the United States, and Colorado.

Named varieties are: This perennial herb is variable in morphology, growing several erect stems up to a meter tall[3] from a branching caudex and rhizome unit.

The leaves are palmate and compound,[2] each divided into five to seven wide lance-shaped leaflets with toothed edges.

The leaflets are hairy, with many more hairs on the undersides, making them lighter in color than the top surfaces.

The inflorescence is a cyme of several flowers, each with usually five sepals, lower bracts, and yellow petals.