Much branched dwarf, ± creeping mat-forming herb. Basal branches procumbent with fascicles of leaves at the nodes and short ascending-erect flowering shoots. Stems ± quadrangular, pilose all round the stem or on the angles only with spreading or shortly retrorse eglandular hairs; flowering stems 2-6 cm long. Leaves elliptic-obovate to linear lanceolate, 5-11 x 2-5 mm, with prominent or ± obsolete lateral veins, densely dotted with reddish sessile oil-globules above and below, glabrous or with few scattered eglandular pilose hairs. Inflorescence ovoid-capitate. Bracts 0.5-1.5 mm. Calyx 3.5-4 mm, tubular to campanulate, usually purplish, with oil globules; lower teeth up to 2 mm, subulate. Corolla c. 6 mm long, pale lilac, pink purplish or violet. Stamens clearly exserted in hermaphrodite flowers. Nutlets pale brown, ovoid, c.1 x 0.75 mm with a small V-shaped attachment scar.