Stems intricately branched; proximal mostly 1-2(-2.5) mm wide. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline blades linear to linear-oblanceolate, 10-15(-30) × 1-2.5(-3) mm, margins entire or rarely with pair of shallow teeth. 2n = 18, 36.

Flowering May-Aug(-Sep). Open habitats in deep, loose sand, areas of desert shrub, sagebrush, juniper, or pinyon-juniper woodlands; 1000-1900 m; Ariz., Colo., Kans., Mont., Nebr., N.Mex., Okla., S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Wyo.