Diffuse dwarf shrub, 25-50 cm., with annual shoots arising irregularly from old woody low stems. Shoots more or less ascending, rigid, light-coloured to ivory-glaucous or waxy-yellow when dry. Leaves reduced to minute, short-triangular scales, connate into a short cup, membranous at margin, woolly within. Inflorescences diffuse, consisting of short, 3-6 cm. long, scattered spikes, mostly at the ends of green, main or lateral shoots of the current season. Flowers with 2 ovate, concave bracteoles woolly at base. Stamens 5, alternating with linear-ovate staminodes, staminodes papillose at tip. Styles short; stigmas 2, strongly papillose on inner side. Fruiting perianth 6-8 mm. across (incl. wings); wings obovate-orbicular, directed upwards, overlapping, unequal, somewhat brownish. Fl. September-November.