Stem erect, to 1(-1.5) m, from a thickened, turnip-like root that is renewed each year, the new root alongside the old one; lvs rather few, deeply 5-7-cleft into cuneate-obovate segments, these deeply, sharply, and repeatedly incised; infl usually simple, its axis and pedicels with straight, spreading hairs 1 mm, fls few, dark purple to blue (varying to seldom white); helmet ca 14-17 mm long (measured to the tip of the beak) and about as high (or not quite so high), rounded and dome-like, the beak scarcely differentiated from the hood; 2n=16. Streambanks, talus, and cold woods; c. and ec. N.Y., ne. O., and in and near the driftless area of Wis. and Io. July-Aug. Perhaps properly to be subordinated to the cordilleran A. columbianum Nutt.
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.