Rather inconspicuous plant, usually only up to 1 or 2 inches in diameter and 1/2 to about 5 inches tall. Plant has a 4 foot root system covered with wart-like swellings (tuberous).
Stems spreading to ascending; leaves rounded in cross-section; flowers white to purplish-pink, petals lance-like, stems <1/2 inch, sepals persist during fruit development; stamens 6 to 18; stigma 1, head-like, may be 3-lobed; capsule ovoid; seeds smooth.
Habitat
Woodland openings, bare slopes and summits in rocky soil on chert (rock resembling flint), basalt (fine-grained volcanic rock) and cinder.
Flower Characteristics
Flowers 1 to 4 clustered on stalks; 1/16 to 1/4 inch long; sepals broad, lance-like, 1/4 inch long; petals lance-like about 1/2 inch long; color paler at base; 6 to 18 stamens; 1 stigma, head-like, may be 3-lobed.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves fleshy; round in cross section; crowded on the upper portion of the stems; dark green; 1-3/4 inches long; turning red upon entering fall dormancy.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Oval, strongly triquetrous (triangular in cross-section and sharply angled; with 3 distinct long ridges); 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.
Smooth; about 1/16 inch long.