Cushion lax, evergreen, 20-30 cm diam. Leaves glaucescent-green, linear-subulate, triangular, rigid, 2 cm x 0.1 cm, narrowed to a spine at the apex, with ciliate margins. Flower stalks exceeding the leaves. Spikes loose. Flowers solitary on slender branches of the main stem. Flowers bright pink and dark violet. V - throughout the season, new growth since mid spring till late summer. Fl - mid-summer about one month. Fr - September. P - by seed or cuttings. Will flower in the second year. Does well only in a warm and rather dry climate. Z 6 (5). New.

Central Asia (Tien Shan, Kirgizskiy Alatau). Rocky slopes in alpine and subalpine zones. Endemic.