Tufted perennial. Flowering stems erect, glabrous, 10-30 cm tall; non- flowering stems present at flowering. Basal lvs stiff, patent to suberect, linear, sharply acute, glaucous, slightly scabrid on margins only or glabrous, (20)-40-80-(150) × 1-3 mm; cauline lvs similar, suberect to erect, becoming smaller above. Fls solitary or 2-3 per stem; pedicels usually > calyx. Epicalyx scales (2)-4-(6), broadly ovate, awned, 1/4-1/2 length of calyx. Calyx cylindric, glabrous, 2-2.5 cm long; teeth ovate to triangular, obtuse to acute, 4-6 mm long; margins scarious, ciliate. Petals white to pink, fringed, usually bearded. Carpophore 2-3 mm long; capsule c. 20 mm long. Seeds black, flattened, orbicular, c. 3 mm long.