Caespitose herb, c. 5 cm tall. Leaves densely imbricate, c. 3 mm long, oblong, narrow at the base, apex obtuse, recurved, with 3(-5) pits on the upper surface, glabrous, minutely ciliate on the lower half. Leaves on peduncle lax. Peduncle 2.5-3.8 cm long, glandular. Flowers yellow, 3-5, in corymbs; pedicel 5-6 mm long. Sepals c. 2 mm long, oblong, basally adnate, glandular-pilose. Petals obovate, twice the length of sepals. Stamens longer than the sepals. Styles long, divergent in fruit. Capsule sub-globose.

Fl.Per.: July.

Lectotype: N.W. Himalayas: Kanji La, Ladakh, 14000', Meebold 326 (WU).

Distribution: Alpine and sub-alpine W. Himalayas, (Kashmir, Tibet).

Hara in Kitam.,Fl.P1.W.Pak.81.1964, reports this plant from Karakorum (July 14, 1955, S. Nakao s.n.) and Stewart, Ann.Cat.Vasc.Pl.W.Pak. & Kashm. 343.1972, from Gilgit, Nalter Valley (Duthie 12428), but I have not seen any plant from these areas. However, I have examined material from India, Kumaon, Bedang glacier, 4000 m, Koelz 21065 and from Rangdum, Zanskar, Koelz 2903. Grows at an alt. of c. 4000 m, on rocks, forming dense mats.