Tufted herb to 5 cm high. Leaves (9.5–)11–36 mm long, 0.5–1 mm wide, usually with scattered hairs on margin, apex apiculate, 0.5–1.4 mm long, with flattened to rounded, sometimes obscure midrib. Peduncles 6.5–20 mm long in fruit, shorter than or same length as the leaves; sepals narrowly triangular, 2.5–3 mm long, c. equal to or just exceeding the capsule valves, apiculate. Capsule valves 2–3.2 mm long; seed c. 0.5–0.7 mm long. Flowers Jul.–Mar.
GleP, Brid, VVP, GipP, OtP, WaP, GGr, EGL, WPro, OtR. Mostly scattered along the coast, usually on sheltered dune slopes and in dune swales, but rarely common.
Plants from alpine areas that were previously included in this species are now regarded as a distinct species. See notes under C. curtisiae.
