Perennial, appressed velvety-pubescent herb, forming dense low cushions, 10-20 cm. in diam. Sterns caespitose, prostrate to ascending, covered with densely imbricated leaves and stipules. Leaves 3-8 x 1-2 mm., somewhat fleshy, lanceolate or elliptical, appressed-hairy; stipules ovate to lanceolate. Heads about 5 mm. in diam., few-flowered, more or less terminal. Bracts longer than flowers, oblong-ovate or oblong-lanceolate. Calyx lobes 2-3 mm., unequal, linear-oblong to ovate-lanceolate, appressed-puberulent, not or only narrowly white-margined, not hooded, awnless. Seeds 1 mm., lenticular, brown, shining. Fl. March-May.