[burkeherbarium.org] Description, Distribution, Habitat: General: Dwarf perennial from a short, woody base, 3-40 cm. tall. Leaves: Basal leaves persistent, entire, linear to linear-elliptic or oblanceolate, 2-25 cm. long and 1-15 mm. wide; cauline leaves few and much reduced. Flowers: Heads solitary; involucre 3-15 mm. high, the bracts imbricate, papery at the base, often purplish, with short woolly hairs on the margins and under the heads; rays 10-40, violet or lavender, 7-15 mm. long Distribution: Occurring in the Cascades and Olympic mountains in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Montana, Wyoming, and Nevada. Habitat: Alpine meadows, slopes, and rocky areas. Flowers: June-September Origin: Native Growth Duration: Perennial Conservation Status: Not of concern (link added by Mary Ann Machi)