Plants perennial, with globose tubers 10-50 mm diam., mature plants rhizomatous; periderm 5-20 mm. Stems 2-25 cm. Leaves: basal leaves somtimes absent, petiolate, 5-25 cm, blade elliptic to rhombic, 1-3 × 0.2-2 cm; cauline leaves petiolate, blade elliptic to ovate 1.5-5 × 1-3 cm, abruptly tapered at base. Inflorescences ebracteate. Flowers 8-14 mm diam.; sepals 5-7 mm; petals pink to magenta, 6-12 mm; ovules 6. Seeds 1-2 mm, smooth and shiny; elaiosome 1 mm or less. 2n = 16.

Flowering May-Aug. North- and east-facing talus and scree slopes of drier mountain areas, subalpine coniferous forests; of conservation concern; 100-3000 m; Calif., Oreg.