Leaves: blades livid or beet red or purplish abaxially and gray-green with epidermal gas pockets adaxially, pockets remain preserved upon drying, or blades green; basal leaf rosettes suberect to flattened, 20-30 cm, blade ovate to broadly rhombic, apex obtuse; cauline leaves perfoliate; blade 1-5 cm diam., margins often notched or cleft. Seeds 3-4 mm. 2n = 24, 36, 48.

Flowering Apr-Jun. Heavily grazed shrubland and woodland; 500-2000 m; B.C.; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Wyo.