Long-hairy annual. Stems erect, 40–80 cm. Leaves: basal oblanceolate, 3–8 cm long, withering by flowering time; cauline numerous, lanceolate to oblanceolate, reduced upward. Inflorescence many-flowered, narrow, apparently racemose. Flowers perfect or sometimes unisexual; calyx tubular, setose, 10-veined, 10–15 mm long; petals white, the blades 5–7 mm long, deeply bilobed with 2 appendages; styles 3. Capsule equaling the calyx, opening by 6 slits (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
POLLINATORS The following animal species have been reported as pollinators of this plant species or its genus where their geographic ranges overlap:
Bombus vagans,
Bombus pensylvanicus, and
Bombus impatiens (Colla and Dumesh 2010).