Stems 5-25 cm. Basal leaves 1-2×-ternately compound, 5-25 cm, no longer than stems; leaflets green adaxially, 7-22 mm, not viscid; primary petiolules 7-40 mm (leaflets usually crowded), glabrous. Flowers nodding; sepals divergent from floral axis, blue, oblong-ovate, 9-18 × 5-8 mm, apex obtuse to acute; petals: spurs blue, hooked, 3-9 mm, stout, evenly tapered from base, blades yellowish, oblong or spatulate, 7-10 × 3-5 mm; stamens 5-8 mm. Follicles 7-10 mm; beak 3-5 mm. 2 n = 14.

Flowering summer (Jul-Aug). Cliffs and rocky slopes, subalpine and alpine; of conservation concern; 3300-4000 m; Colo.