Herbs perennial. Principal roots slender, woody; lateral roots brittle. Stems densely caespitose, prostrate at base, erect distally, 10--20 cm, densely pale brown glandular villous, with withered, persistent leaves. Basal leaf blade linear, 2--3 cm × 1--2 mm, both surfaces glabrous, midvein raised, base broadened, membranous, sheathing, margin slightly involute, denticulate, apex obtuse or acute. Cauline leaf blade lanceolate or narrowly so, 1--1.5 cm × 2--3 mm, margin slightly involute, denticulate, apex obtuse. Cymes 3-flowered; bracts ovate-elliptic, 4--7 × 1--2 mm, glandular hairy abaxially, base narrowed, apex obtuse. Pedicel 3--4 mm, densely glandular hairy. Sepals 5, violet, broadly ovate, 4--5 × 2--3 mm, densely glandular hairy, base broadened, margin membranous, usually ciliate proximally, apex obtuse or sometimes emarginate. Petals 5, white, obovate, 8--10 × ca. 4 mm, base cuneate, apex obtuse or emarginate. Floral disc patellate, with 5 elliptic glands. Stamens 10; filaments ca. 5 mm; anthers yellow. Ovary stipitate, globose-obovoid. Styles 3, linear, ca. 3 mm. Fl. Jul--Aug.

The whole plant is used medicinally.

* Alpine meadows, cirques; 2600--4200 m. Gansu, Qinghai.