It is native to the western United States in the Great Basin and surrounding areas.

It is found in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah.

[5] Solidago spectabilis grows in moist habitat, including bogs, meadows, seeps, streambanks, hot springs, and wet areas on alkali flats.

It is a rhizomatous perennial herb producing one or more erect stems that can reach two meters (5 feet) in maximum height.

There is a basal rosette of fleshy, lance-shaped leaves measuring up to 25 centimeters (10 inches), the blades borne on winged petioles.