Low, mat-forming, perennial herb from a branched caudex. Stems trailing to ascending, 2–12 cm. Leaves petiolate, stipulate, sparsely strigose; leaflets 3, oblong, 5–20 mm long with blunt, 3-toothed tips. Inflorescence a compact, bracteate, strigose cyme of 2–15 flowers. Flowers perfect, perigynous; hypanthium saucer-shaped; sepals 5, ovate, 2–5 mm long; bracteoles narrower, shorter; petals 5, light yellow, 1–2 mm long, shorter than the sepals; stamens 5; pistils 5 to 15. Fruit an achene ca. 1.5 mm long; style lateral (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Sparsely vegetated sometimes disturbed soil of meadows, turf, often under krummholz or where snow accumulates; upper subalpine, alpine (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).