This showy biennial bears clusters of tubular flowers scattered along the upper portion of its stiff, unbranched stem. The showy flowers are normally brilliant red but sometimes pink or even pale orange. Leaves are mostly near the base of the plant. Height: 6 ft (1.8 m).
Shrubby brushland; open, coniferous forests.
Southern British Columbia to Montana, south, east of the Cascades, to California and New Mexico.
In nature, browsing by mule deer and elk prior to the flowering season stimulates growth of multiple flowering stems and increases flower production.
