Yellow columbine is a close relative of the red columbine. Where their ranges overlap, they may hybridize and create interesting offspring to confuse even the more adept botanists! Plants range from 20-70 cm. The leaves are largely basal, and are divided into multiples of three leaflets. These smaller leaflets are further lobed. (See photo below!) The stem leaves are alternate and smaller representatives of the basal leaves.

The flowers are irregularly shaped, with five yellow sepals flared to the sides, and five smaller yellow petals extending below the petals. The sepals range from 15-25 mm long. The petals also consist of a a long conical, nectar producing spur which extends above the sepals. The spurs which are 10-15 mm long are hooked inwards at the tips. The stamens typically dangle below the petals. The whole flower tends to nod downward, with the spurs pointing upwards. The flowers of the yellow columbine tend to be smaller than those of the red columbine.

Yellow columbine is found in moist open woods and rocky meadows.

Yellow columbine is found from southern British Columbia along the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains of Washington, and extends eastward to mountainous areas in eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon.