Mat-forming perennial. Stems simple, 1–12 cm. Basal leaves oblanceolate, 3–10 mm long, entire. Stem leaves lacking. Vestiture of sessile pectinate hairs often aligned parallel to the midvein, rarely with some simple or forked cilia. Petals yellow, 3–6 mm long. Fruit ovate, ascending, 2–6 mm × 1.5–3 mm, pubescent with simple hairs; style 0.3–1 mm long; lower pedicels 2–12 mm long (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Sparsely vegetated, stony soil of grasslands, open forest, rock outcrops, exposed slopes and ridges; montane to alpine (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).