Perennial from a simple or branched caudex. Stems erect, 15–50 cm. Herbage strigose. Leaves: basal linear-oblanceolate to oblanceolate, 2–15 cm long. Flowers: calyx 2–4 mm long; corolla bluish-white, 3–4 mm long, 5–9 mm across the limb with yellow, pubescent fornices. Nutlet body 2–3 mm long; prickles distinct; dorsal face hirsute with few minute prickles (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Sandy or gravelly soil of slopes in sagebrush steppe, open forest; montane, subalpine (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).