Plants annual, with minute, tuberous body; periderm absent. Stems 1-4 cm. Leaves: basal leaves sessile, blade broadly spatulate, 0.5-3 × 0.5-1 cm; cauline leaves sessile, blade spatulate, 0.2-1 × 0.2-0.5 cm. Inflorescences ebracteate. Flowers 10-15 mm diam., pinkish to magenta; sepals 2-3 mm; petals 6-10 mm; ovules 3. Seeds 1-2 mm, tuberculate; elaiosome inserted in wide notch of seed coat, 0.5 mm. 2n = 16.

Flowering early spring. Serpentine balds, rock outcrops; of conservation concern; 500-2000 m; Calif.