General:
Biennial or more usually perennial from a taproot and branching stem-base; stems more or less erect, several, simple or sometimes branched, white-hairy below, glandular-hairy above, 3-35 cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal leaves oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic, 1.5-5.5 cm long, 2-8 mm wide, margins fringed; stem leaves opposite, 2-3 pairs, reduced upwards; stipules lacking.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of usually solitary or sometimes 2 or 3, erect to spreading flowers; petals 5, white to pink or purple, well exserted, 2-cleft; sepals 5, united, forming a bell- to urn-shaped tube 10-17 mm long, hairy, purple-nerved.
Fruits:
Capsules 12-18 mm long, 5- or 6-valved; seeds 0.9-1.5 mm long, with winged margins.