Plants 10-30 cm. Stems 1 or 2-3, clustered, usually not branched. Basal leaves: petioles broad-winged, lengths 1-2 times blades; blades usually ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 1-4 × 1-4 cm, bases tapering. Cauline leaves clasping, auriculate.

Flowering early Jul-mid Aug. Wet or drying, open, alpine and subalpine meadows, steep, wet slopes; 2800-3800 m; Colo., Idaho, Mont., N.Mex., Utah, Wyo.

The auriculate, clasping cauline leaves and congested heads make var. dimorphophylla easy to identify.