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Glabrous, herbaceous perennial from a branched crown, forming tight cushions emerging from rocky, basaltic lithosols.

Leaves are fleshy, green, crowded, 1.5-2.5 cm. long and 1-2.5 mm. broad, deciduous except for the rigid basal portions, which form spiny projections covering the stem.

Flowers 10-25 in diffuse, minutely bracteate, ascending cymes 2-15 cm. long; these flowers not yet in bloom.

Sagebrush steppe, growing closely with Lewisia rediviva in rocky lithosols.

Intense dark green with lime colored stipe when first showing. As it matures, the cap becomes more brown while retaining dark center to cap. Color at maturity variable.
Gills an unusual but very vibrant orange.
Upon maturity it often develops a very intense red margin to gill and cap edges.