This columbine is relatively rare in the wild.  It is confined to shady, damp canyons, especially near streams.  It is distributed in southern Arizona, the Chisos and Davis Mountains of Texas and areas of neighboring Mexico, growing at elevations of 1370-1520 m. Plants reach 25-90 cm with typical columbine foliage.  The flowers are yellow with super-long spurs reaching 7-15 cm in length.  It is considered a short-lived perennial.