Dense, compact, cushion-like perennial with non-woody base; stems to 12 cm long, glabrous. Leaves (2–)2.5–10(–13) mm long, (0.3–)0.4–0.9 mm wide, keeled, incurved, glabrous; apex apiculate; margin very narrow, scarious, papillose, rarely minutely denticulate to undulate. Inflorescence a pedunculate pair of sessile (rarely subsessile) flowers; peduncle (2–)5–18(–23) mm long in fruit, glabrous; bracts glabrous; pedicels absent or rarely up to 0.2 mm long. Sepals 5, triangular-ovate, 0.4–0.8 mm long, 0.2–0.5 mm wide, overlapping at base, margin scarious, midrib keeled; stamens 1, enclosed within the calyx, caducous. Fruit not ribbed, veins obscure, 1.7–2.3 mm long, 0.6–0.8 mm wide. Flowers Nov.–Mar.