Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to Baja California, east to the Rocky Mountains and in scattered locations in the Great Plains.

Habitat: Stream banks, lake margins, around springs and seeps, especially in thermal waters in otherwise desert regions.

Flowers: April-July

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Glabrous, perennial herbs from short rhizomes, the 1-many stems mostly 3-7 dm. tall.

Leaves alternate, numerous, sheathing, the lowest blade almost lacking, but gradually enlarged upward; blades broadly elliptic-lanceolate, 7-14 cm. long and 1.5-5 cm. wide.

Inflorescence a one-sided, bracteate, 3-15 flowered raceme; sepals unequal, coppery-green, 12-16 mm. long, the lower 2 spreading; upper 2 petals similar to the sepals, but more brownish-purple; the third petal (lip) 15-20 mm. long, sac-like, with prominent, raised, purplish lines, 3-lobed, the outer lobes prominent, the central lobe curved downward, greenish-yellow, triangular-ovate, the tip flattened; stamens and style fused to form a column 6-9 mm. long.

Capsule reflexed, 2-3.5 cm. long.