The Oil Shale columbine is an endemic to the Green River region of northeast Utah and NW Colorado, growing only on the rock that gives its name. Bushy rosettes of heavily divided lobed leaves may reach a foot tall, topped then by stalks bearing one to several blooms each of the classic columbine shape. The tepals and spurs may be almost entirely yellow or blushed to heavily deep red-pink colored, while the inner cup tends to remain pale yellow. Plants are hardy to at least zone 4, and unlike other columbines can often tolerate fairly dry, hot conditions once established.
Available plants are seed-grown and around 4 inches in diameter.