Herbs , 1.5-12.5 cm. Leaf blades linear or narrowly oblanceolate, 0.9-4 cm. Inflorescences: scapes 0.9-10.5 cm. Flowers: sepals 1-3-veined, scarious margins narrow or broad; petal claw 1-2 times as long as blade. Heads of achenes 4-26 × 1.5-2 mm, exserted beyond leaves. Achenes: outer face narrowly rhombic to elliptic or oblong, 1-2.2 × 0.4-1 mm, 2-5 times as high as wide, not bordered; beak 0.6-1.4 mm, 0.4-1 times as long as body of achene, diverging from outer face of achene, heads of achenes thus strongly roughened by projecting achene beaks.

The illegitimate names Myosurus aristatus Bentham ex Hooker and M . minimus var. aristatus (Bentham ex Hooker) B. Boivin have been used for this species.

The Navaho-Ramah used Myosurus apetalus medicinally as a life medicine and as a protection against witches (D.E. Moerman 1986, citing M . aristatus ).