Stems 4-10(-15) cm. Basal leaf blades linear-oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, (30-)40-90(-120) × (1-)2-4(-6) mm, apices acute. Cypselae strigose only distally.

Flowering (Jun-)Jul-Sep. Rocky slopes, talus, ridges, usually in alpine tundra, sometimes in clearings in pine-fir or pine-spruce woods, sometimes around lake edges or near snow banks, usually in drier sites; 2600-3300 m; Idaho, Nev., Oreg., Wyo.