Inflorescences 1-4(-8)-flowered, usually not densely pubescent, longer hairs often purple-septate. Fruiting calyces 13-18 × 6-8 mm, ca. 2 times as long as broad. Petals clearly exserted from calyx, dingy reddish purple, 11/ 1/ 2 times calyx. Seeds ca. 1 mm diam. 2n = 72.

Flowering summer. Alpine meadows and rocky places, high prairies, open montane woodlands and forests; 1500-3800 m; Sask.; Ariz., Colo., Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Utah, Wyo.