Stems nearly glabrous proximally to densely tomentose distally. Leaves 15-30 × 10-18 cm. Inflorescences with branches spreading to commonly drooping. Flowers erect; tepals deep green to yellowish green, 5-12 mm. 2n = 32. Flowering summer--fall. Moist meadows, openings in coniferous forests; 0--2500 m; Alta., B.C., N.W.T., Yukon; Alaska, Calif., Idaho, Mont., Oreg., Wash. Western Native Americans (Bella Colla, Cowlitz, Kwakiutl, Okanagan, Quinault, Salishan, Shuswap, and Thompson) used Veratrum viride var. eschscholzianum as an analgesic, antirheumatic, emetic, laxative, and poison, as well as a cold, blood, heart, orthopedic, and skin aid (D. E. Moerman 1986). Native Americans from northern British Columbia and the Yukon Territory consumed young plants as herbage (A. E. Porsild 1951; G. A. Mulligan and D. B. Munro 1987).