Inflorescences mostly racemose, occasionally paniculate with 1 basal branch, 2-20 × 2-5 cm. Flowers: outer tepals usually clawed to 5 mm. Capsules 8-12 × 4-5 mm. Flowering Apr--Jul. Coastal areas, well-drained grasslands; 0--2500 m; B.C.; Calif., Idaho, Nev., Oreg., Utah, Wash. The inflorescences of most plants in each population of var. venenosus are racemose, but those of a few individuals are paniculate, with a single short basal branch.