Clump to colony-forming, sometimes stoloniferous, in the wild, but rarely more than small tufts in cultivation. Flowering stems and leaves almost thread-like, more or less erect, 10-20cm tall. Flowers usually solitary, about 1.5cm long, white with purple veins, each tepal with a basal nectary, summer. Europe to south-western China, on open slopes, amongst rocks, mountain grassland and peaty habitats.
