Annual, glabrous, 3-15 cm. Stems indurated, more or less ascending. Leaves 0.5-2 x 0.1 cm., terete-linear, short-mucronate; stipules white-membranous, ovate-lanceolate, acute to acuminate. Heads 0.5-1 cm., comprising 3-7 flowers concrescent with floral leaves and bracts. Floral leaves somewhat longer than calyx; bracts shorter than or as long as calyx, stipule-like. Calyx about 4 mm., crisp-woolly; lobes narrow, straight, hooded, with subapical spine. Stamens shorter than calyx lobes. Fruiting heads about 1 cm., echinate. Seeds 2-3 x 1-2 mm. Fl. February-May.