Stems simple or few from base (caudex), (0.8-)1.2-2.5(-3) dm, glabrous. Basal leaves: petiole (1-) 2-5.5(-8) cm, thickened, glabrous at base; blade linear-oblanceolate to obovate, (2-)3-7(-10) cm × (5-)8-20 (-26) mm, base attenuate, apex obtuse to acute, surfaces tomentose. Cauline leaves 5-12, not overlapping; blade ovate to oblong or linear lanceolate, 0.7-2 cm × 2-6 mm, surfaces usually densely to sparsely pubescent, rarely glabrate. Racemes glabrous. Fruiting pedicels divaricate, (6-)10-30(-35) mm. Flowers: sepals 4-6 × 1.5-2.2 mm, glabrous; petals 9-13(-15) × 2.5-4 mm, attenuate to base; filaments 4-5 mm; anthers 1-1.5 mm; gynophore obsolete or, rarely, to 2 mm. Fruits divaricate, (2-)3-6(-9) cm × (2-)3-5(-6) mm; style 0.5-2 mm. Seeds (2-)2.5-3.2 × (1.5-)1.8-2.5 mm. 2n = 28.

Flowering mid Apr-mid Jun. Rocky scree, rocky basaltic slopes, volcanic rubble, barren clay slopes, rimrocks, scablands, ledges of metamorphic rock outcrops, rocky crevices and open knolls, sandy banks, gravelly meadows, grassy or gravelly hillsides, sagebrush scrub and slopes, alpine slopes, volcanic boulders; 700-2800 m; Calif., Idaho, Nev., Oreg., Utah, Wash.