Biennial or short-lived perennial from a simple caudex. Stems erect, 1–10 cm, often branched at the base, glandular. Leaves short-petiolate, basal and cauline, 3–10 mm long, oblong, often shallowly 3-lobed, glandular-hairy. Inflorescence glandular, cymose, of 4 to 12 flowers. Flowers: calyx purplish, cup-shaped with lobes 1–2 mm long; hypanthium 2–3 mm long; petals white, 2–4 mm long, obovate with a short claw; ovary inferior. Capsule 3–5 mm long (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).
Vernally wet, gravelly, sparsely vegetated microsites in turf, rock outcrops; alpine (
Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).