Plants annual, roots fibrous. Stems 2 or more from each rosette, spreading to erect, 1.5-13 cm. Leaves basal and cauline; basal in single, prostrate rosette; blade spatulate, 0.5-6 cm. Inflorescences racemose or paniculate scorpioid cymes, ± dense. Flowers pedicellate; sepals orbiculate to reniform, unequal, 4-6 mm, margins scarious; petals disarticulate in fruit, 4, pink to rose or white, 2-3 mm; stamens 1-3, anther yellow; style absent; stigmas 2; pedicel 1-3 mm. Capsules ovoid, 3-4 mm; valves 2. Seeds 5-14, black, orbicular, 0.5-0.6 mm, shiny. 2n = 44.

Flowering Apr-Jun. Open areas, usually on serpentine; 500-2000 m; Calif.