This exquisite alpine plant is widespread in the Rocky Mountains of North America, usually occurring in scree and talus above tree-line. Plants by this name are also found on mountains in Asia and the European Alps. North American and Asian plants  differ in small details from European plants and have been called Eritrichium (or Eritrichum) aretioides to distinguish them. Cushions are densely clothed in hairs and easy to identify even when the plant is not in flower. Although the flowers are typically the bluest of blue, white flowered individuals are often encountered in the Rocky Mountains.