Annuals or biennials; (glaucous), glabrous throughout. Stems branched basally and/or distally, (2.1-)3-6.5(-7.5) dm. Basal leaves rosulate; petiolate; blade pinnatifid or oblanceolate, 3.5-15(-30) cm, margins runcinate-pinnatifid, dentate, or entire. Cauline leaves: blade ovate to lanceolate, 2.5-14 cm × 4-55 mm, (smaller distally), base auriculate to amplexicaul, margins runcinate-pinnatifid, dentate, or entire (usually entire distally). Racemes ebracteate, (lax). Fruiting pedicels divaricate-ascending, (straight or curved upward), 7-22(-35) mm. Flowers: calyx urceolate or campanulate; sepals purple, or ochroleucous to yellowish, 8-11 mm, keeled; petals white (with purplish veins) or purple (with white margins, recurved), 14-18 mm, blade 5-8 × 1-1.5 mm, margins crisped, claw 9-12 mm, about as wide as blade; stamens in 3 unequal pairs; filaments (distinct): abaxial pair 6-10 mm, lateral pair 4-7 mm, adaxial pair (exserted), 9-12 mm; anthers (all) fertile, 4-5 mm; gynophore 0.5-2 mm. Fruits ascending, smooth, straight, strongly flattened, 3-8 cm × 4.5-6 mm; valves each with obscure midvein; replum straight; ovules 26-54 per ovary; style 0.5-2 mm; stigma strongly 2-lobed. Seeds orbicular, 3-5 mm diam.; wing 0.6-1.1 mm wide, continuous. 2n = 28.

Plant: Erect annual forb to 60 cm Leaves: leaves alternate, glaucous, clasping, lance-oblong to lance-ovate Flowers: flowers cream, urn-shaped Fruit: a 2-celled capsule 4-6 cm long.