Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Atlantic Coast; circumboreal.

Habitat: Open areas, sea level to subalpine, especially in burned and other naturally disturbed areas.

Flowers: May-September

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Bumblebees, bees, moths, hummingbirds

Perennial from widespread rhizome-like roots, the stems usually simple, 1-3 m. tall, glabrous except for fine puberulence in the inflorescence.

Leaves alternate, sub-sessile, narrowly lanceolate, 10-15 cm. long.

Inflorescence a many-flowered, elongated, terminal raceme; sepals 4, 8-12 mm. long, short-clawed; petals 4, rose-purple, 8-20 mm. long, rounded; stamens 8; style longer than the stamens, with soft hairs on the lower portion; stigma 4-cleft; ovary inferior, 4-celled.

Capsule 5-8 cm. long; seeds with a tuft of dingy hairs at the tip.