One of the brightest and most conspicuous of northern wild flowers with hairy, clumped to bushy stems growing up to 3 feet tall. The alternate, hairy leaves are 4 inches long and less than 1 inch wide. Spreading clusters, up to 25 flowers each of which is less than ¾ inch long, arise where the leaves join the stem. The flowers range in color from bright yellow to blazing orange. This plant, unlike other milkweeds, has no milky juice.