[2] A 2005 report estimated a remaining global population of 244 individual plants.

This is a perennial herb producing one or more erect stems from a scaly, hairy caudex.

The inflorescence bears many white or purple flowers with thick, dark sepals.

The fruit is a tough, hairless silique up to 10 centimeters long containing 2 rows of seeds.

The main threats to the existence of this rare plant are grazing and erosion caused by feral pigs and competition by invasive grasses.