Plants cushion-forming, rounded, sometimes mat-forming (then stems trailing), (stems slightly woody at base), not stoloniferous, rhizomatous, with caudex. Leaves basal (sometimes cauline on trailing stems), (closely imbricate); petiole absent; blade round to broadly obovate, unlobed, 1-4 mm, ± fleshy, margins entire, stiffly bristly-ciliate, apex obtuse or rounded, surfaces glabrous. Inflorescences solitary flowers, to 1 cm, glabrous; bracts sessile. Flowers unisexual (plants dioecious); sepals spreading in flower, reflexed in fruit, (purple), triangular to ovate, margins ciliate, surfaces hairy; petals yellow, drying cream to brown, not spotted, linear to oblanceolate, 1-2.5 mm, ± equaling sepals; ovary superior. 2n = 12. Flowering early summer. Cliffs and gravelly spits, rocky outcrops, gravel shores, tundra; 0-2000+ m; N.W.T., Yukon; Alaska; Asia (Siberia).