Herbs perennial, forming dense cushions from many leaf rosettes superimposed into columns. Leaves sessile, linear-lanceolate to subulate, 5--7(--10) X 0.7--2 mm, base slightly dilated, submembranous, leathery, glabrous or sparsely pubescent on margin, margin cartilaginous, apex acuminate, cartilaginous; midvein raised abaxially. Scapes solitary, 1- or 2-flowered, to 5 mm, hidden in leaves, villous; bracts 1 or 2, linear to lanceolate, ca. 3 mm. Pedicel 1--1.5 mm. Calyx 3--3.5 mm, glabrescent or sparsely pubescent along ridges, parted to ca. middle; lobes triangular, ciliate, apex acute; veins 5, obscure. Corolla white or purple, 6--7 mm in diam.; lobes obovate, margin entire or obscurely undulate, apex truncate.

* Steppes, gravelly slopes, dry sandy soils, shaded cliffs; 1500--4500 m. Gansu, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, S Qinghai