Sedum humile J. D. Hooker & Thomson, J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 2: 99. 1858; Chamaerhodiola humilis (J. D. Hooker & Thomson) Nakai; Rhodiola karpelesae (Raymond-Hamet) S. H. Fu; Sedum barnesianum Praeger; S. karpelesae Raymond-Hamet; S. levii Raymond-Hamet.

Main root thick. Caudex simple, erect, short. Caudex leaves leaflike; petiole ca. 9 mm, persistent; leaf blade linear-oblanceolate to -rhomboid, ca. 6 × 1.5 mm, deciduous, apex subacute. Flowering stems few, to 2.5 cm. Stem leaves alternate, sessile, linear-elliptic, 4-5 × ca. 1 mm, narrowed at both ends, margin entire. Inflorescences 1- or 2-flowered. Flowers unequally 5-merous. Sepals ovate-oblong, ca. 3 × 1.5 mm, apex obtuse to acute. Petals ovate, 2.5-3 mm, apex attenuate. Stamens 10; antesepalous ones equaling or slightly shorter than petals; antepetalous ones inserted ca. 1/3 from petal base. Nectar scales suboblong, apex obtuse. Carpels erect. Styles short. Fl. and fr. Sep.

Plants collected in S Qinghai, apparently belonging to this species, formed dense mats to 10 cm wide.

Alpine meadows; 3900-4500 m. Qinghai, Xizang [Nepal, Sikkim].