Shrubs forming large, solid cushions to 80 cm across. Stems intricately branched, crowded, prostrate, clothed in old leaves; erect shoots 1–2 cm. Leaves cauline, crowded, overlapping, exstipulate, sessile, obovate, sericeous, 2–4 mm long, entire. Inflorescence a solitary, terminal flower. Flowers perfect, perigynous, 5-merous; hypanthium campanulate, deep pink; sepals ca.2 mm long; petals deep pink, 2–3 mm long; stamens ca. 10; styles 3 to 5. Fruit 1-seeded, ellipsoid follicles that open completely, ca. 3 mm long (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).