Plants perennial, with napiform to globose tubers 10-25 mm diam., mature plants rhizomatous; periderm 5-12 mm. Stems 4-8 cm. Leaves: basal leaves often absent, petiolate, blade orbiculate, ca. as long as wide, 0.6-1 cm; cauline leaves petiolate, blade elliptic to ovate, 1-2.5 × 0.5-1.8 cm, abruptly contracted to petiole. Inflorescences umbellate clusters, multibracteate; bracts leaflike. Flowers 10-16 mm diam.; sepals 5-7 mm; petals bright purple, 8-14 mm. Seeds 2.4-2.5 mm diam.

Flowering May-Jul. Stony slopes, calcareous talus; of conservation concern; 1500 m; Yukon.