It is native to the western United States where it grows in mountain and plateau habitat, in rocky subalpine and alpine climates, including exposed tundra habitat.

It is a perennial herb taking a flat, dense, cushionlike form on the ground.

Its very short stems are lined with hair-fringed lance-shaped leaves each no more than one centimeter (2⁄5 in) long.

It blooms densely, forming carpets of flowers.

Each white to pale pink flower has a tubular throat up to one centimeter (2⁄5 in) long and a flat five-lobed corolla.