Sedum quadrifidum Pallas, Reise Russ. Reich. 3: 730. 1776; Chamaerhodiola quadrifida (Pallas) Nakai.

Caudex 1-3 cm; persistent old flowering stems present. Winter bud at apex of rhizome conspicuous. Caudex leaves brown, scalelike, triangular, ca. 4 × 4 mm. Flowering stems ± erect, 6-9 cm × 0.5-1 mm. Stem leaves alternate, erect, sessile, linear, subterete, 5-8(-12) × ca. 1 mm, margin entire, apex acute. Inflorescences corymbiform, ca. 1 cm in diam., few flowered. Flowers unisexual, usually 4-merous, equaling or longer than pedicel. Sepals green, linear-lanceolate, ca. 3 mm, apex obtuse. Petals yellow, sometimes reddish at apex, oblong-obovate, ca. 4 mm, apex obtuse. Stamens 8, equaling or slightly longer than petals. Follicles erect, red when mature, lanceolate, ca. 5 mm, apical beak slightly reflexed or erect. Seeds brown, oblong, ca. 2 mm, winged. Fl. May-Jun.

Alpine regions, stony slopes, rocks; 2300-3700 m. Xinjiang [Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia].