Plants 12–40 cm (short form) or 30–60 cm (tall form); slender, fibrous-rooted, rhizomelike bases, strongly developed woody roots usually apparently 0 or not collected. Stems ascending-erect, usually not wiry or brittle. ( Leaves mostly 15–35 mm). Phyllaries glabrous or sparsely hairy, densely glandular.

Flowering Jun–Sep. Open, rocky sites, various vegetation types; (1200–)1700–3000(–3100) m; Calif., Nev.