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A shrubby perennial, often as an undergrowth of Big Bluestem, Leadplant reaches 3 feet. Stems become large (1/2 inch) and woody with age; compound leaves with numerous small leaflets arranged in opposite pairs. Entire plant is hairy, giving a whitish appearance. Tiny purple flowers in a spiked mass along the upper 2 to 7 inches of the stem; single petal with no wings or keel, conspicuous yellow stamens.Found on dry, rocky soils throughout the tallgrass prairie regions and in open, rocky woodlands; blooms from late May through August.

The dried leaves of this species were used by Native Americans for smoking and as a tea; tea was also used as a treatment for pinworms. Fresh leaves were steeped and the liquid was used for a wash to treat eczema. Used as part of a poultice to treat rheumatism and neuralgia.