Herbs perennial. Principal roots robust, woody. Stems pulvinate, 5--8 cm, with numerous withered, persistent leaves at base; flowering branches much taller than vegetative ones. Leaf blade needle-shaped to linear, 1.5--2 cm × ca. 1 mm, veins raised abaxially, impressed adaxially, base broadened, clasping, margin narrowly membranous, reflexed, apex acuminate, aristate; basal leaves congested, cauline ones in 2 or 3 pairs. Flowers solitary or paired, terminal; bracts lanceolate, ca. 5 × 1--1.5 mm, herbaceous. Pedicel 0.5--1.5 mm, glandular villous, apex nutant. Sepals 5, ovate-lanceolate, 6--7 × ca. 2 mm, 3-veined, midvein raised, lateral veins not obvious, base broadened, margin white membranous, apex acute. Petals 5, white, ovate, 3--4 × ca. 2 mm. Floral disc cupular, with 5 glands. Stamens 10; anthers yellow. Ovary globose, ca. 2 mm in diam. Styles 3, ca. 3 mm. Fl. Jun--Aug.

This species is used medicinally.

* Alpine meadows and gravels; 3400--4600 m. SE Qinghai, NW Sichuan, NE Xizang.