Perennials; caudex (buried), branched, (dense, forming hard mats); densely pubescent, trichomes (subsessile), 8-13- rayed, rays usually furcate, distinct, (umbonate, usually tuberculate, less so over umbo). Stems several (to several hundred) from base, erect, (each terminating in a tufted cluster of leaves), to 7 dm. Basal leaves: (petiole not differentiated from blade); blade narrowly elliptic to narrowly linear-oblanceolate, (0.8-) 1-1.5 cm, (base cuneate), margins entire. Cauline leaves similar to basal, blade sometimes linear, (apex acute). Racemes dense, (often ± subumbellate, somewhat elongated in fruit). Fruiting pedicels (strongly sigmoid), 5-10 mm. Flowers: sepals narrowly elliptic, 2.5-3.5(-4) mm, (not keeled); petals narrowly spatulate, 4-7 mm. Fruits ellipsoid, compressed, 4-6 mm; valves densely pubescent, trichomes appressed; ovules 2 per ovary; style 2-3.5 mm. Seeds flattened, (oval).

Flowering late May-Jun. Gray, argillaceous shale outcrops with sagebrush and junipers; of conservation concern; 2300-2600 m; Colo.

Physaria pulvinata is known from an area surrounded by a pygmy forest of Utah juniper in Dolores and San Miguel Counties.