Plants perennial, rhizomatous; rhizome 4-8 mm diam.; periderm 5-15 mm. Stems 3-10 cm. Leaves: basal leaves sessile, blade spatulate to rhombic or ovate, 2-10 × 0.2-3 cm; cauline leaves sessile, blade ovate, 0.5-2 × 0.2-0.5 cm. Inflorescences ebracteate. Flowers 12-16 mm diam.; sepals 2-3 mm; petals pink to magenta, 8-12 mm; ovules 6. Seeds (1-)6, 2-3 mm, shiny and smooth; elaiosome 1 mm or less. 2n = 14.

Flowering May-Aug. Mountain fell-fields; 2000-3500 m; Calif., Nev., Oreg.