Taproots napiform to shortly fusiform. Stems suberect, becoming horizontal or deflexed after anthesis, base subterranean, 5-12 cm. Leaves: basal leaves withering at or soon after anthesis, gradually narrowed to broad petiole, blade narrowly linear to linear-oblanceolate, flattened, 4-15 cm, margins entire, apex obtuse to subacute; cauline leaves absent. Inflorescences usually with flowers borne singly, rarely 2-3-flowered in racemose cymes; bracts 2, opposite, linear-lanceolate, 6-18 mm, margins entire, apex acute. Flowers pedicellate, not disarticulate in fruit, 0.5-2 cm diam.; sepals 2, broadly ovate, 5-13 mm, herbaceous at anthesis, margins entire or with few shallow, nonglandular teeth, apex acute to subacute; petals 5-10, white or rarely pinkish, elliptic to oblanceolate, 10-15(-20) mm; stamens 6-15; stigmas 3-6; pedicel 10-40 mm. Capsules 5-10 mm. Seeds 20-50, 1.3 mm, shiny, muricate. 2n = 56.
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