Panicle unbranched in distal 1/3-1/2, densely flowered; bracts in proximal unbranched portion lanceolate, 2-3 times longer than flowers, 2-3 cm. Tepals lanceolate, 12-17 mm.

Flowering summer--early fall. Moist to wet marshy meadows and coniferous forest openings; 0--1000 m; Calif., Idaho, Oreg., Wash.

Veratrum californicum var. caudatum occurs mostly west of the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest.