Herbs, erect to ascending, rarely rooting at nodes. Roots sometimes tuberous. Stems sparsely branched, 8--39 cm, scabridulous or rarely glabrescent. Leaves: blade linear-lanceolate, 1--10 ´ 0.15--0.8 cm (distal leaf blades wider or narrower than sheaths when sheaths opened, flattened), firmly membranaceous, glaucous, glabrous. Inflorescences terminal, solitary, or frequently with 1--3 axillary inflorescences from distal nodes; bracts foliaceous. Flowers distinctly pedicillate; pedicels 0.8--1 cm, glandular-puberulent; sepals frequently suffused with red, glaucous, 4--6 mm, glandular-puberulent; petals distinct, bright blue to rose and purple, not clawed, 9--12 mm; stamens free; filaments bearded. Capsules 3--4 mm. Seeds 1.5--2 mm; hilum much shorter than seed.

Flowering summer--fall (Jul--Sep). Moist canyons and stream banks; 1700--3000 m; Ariz., N.Mex.; Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora).