Annual, 20-150 cm.. Stems erect, much branched. Leaves 1-5 cm., alternate, lanceolate to oblong, flat, acute, hairy or only ciliate, 3-nerved. Inflorescences elongate, spike-like. Flowers 1-2 in the axils of bracts. Fruiting perianth 3-4 mm., glabrous or ciliate only, segments ovate-obtuse, wings very short or reduced to tubercles. Seeds 1.5-2 mm., ovate. Fl. June-September.