The basal leaves are densely pubescent, oblanceolate shaped, 2 to 7 mm wide, with entire margins or shallowly dentate.

[5] Boechera retrofracta was listed as a threatened species in Minnesota in 1984 because of its rarity and the small size of its populations.

In Minnesota populations are found in the Boundary Water Canoe Area in crevices on dry, north-and east-facing diabase cliffs, in association with other rare plants like: Physematium scopulinum (Rocky Mountain woodsia) and Asplenium trichomanes ssp.

There are also populations is Kittson county in dry prairie and sand dune habitat in association with xerophytes such as Juniperus horizontalis (creeping juniper), Orthocarpus luteus (owl clover), and Houstonia longifolia (bluets).

[6] In California it is found growing on rock outcrops, in sandy soil, in grasslands and sagebrush steppes, and in open conifer forests.