Leaves tightly appressed to occasionally arcuate-spreading; blade 5-7 mm, apex spinescent. Flowers: sepals 1(-3)-veined, lanceolate (herbaceous portion lanceolate to often narrowly so), 4-5.7 mm, apex spinescent; petals 0.7-1 times as long as sepals. Flowering spring-summer. Loose talus, sandy flats, barren rock; 2600-3800 m; Calif., Nev., Oreg.