Stems intricately branched; proximal mostly 1–2(–2.5) mm wide. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline blades linear to linear-oblanceolate, 10–15(–30) × 1–2.5(–3) mm, margins entire or rarely with pair of shallow teeth. 2n = 18, 36.

Flowering May–Aug(–Sep). Open habitats in deep, loose sand, areas of desert shrub, sagebrush, juniper, or pinyon-juniper woodlands; 1000–1900 m; Ariz., Colo., Kans., Mont., Nebr., N.Mex., Okla., S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Wyo.