Basal leaf blades straight, 2-4 cm, rigid or flexible. Sepals (7-)8-10 mm. 2n = 44, 66.

Flowering spring-summer. Open pine and spruce woodlands; 1300-2400 m; Colo., Nebr., Okla., S.Dak., Wyo.

The two varieties recognized intergrade in some areas, but var. pinetorum is usually very distinctive and occurs in the eastern portion of the range of the species.