Prostrate to ascending perennial, with stout, long, much branched ± grooved stem, glabrous or puberulous; internodes short. Leaves 10-15 x 3-5 mm , broadly elliptic, flat, entire, usually acute, sometimes obtuse, nerves ± obscure, or prominent, petiole 2-5 mm long. Ochreae not covering the internodes, hyaline, ovate - lanceolate, 5-7 mm long, acuminate or sometimes lacerate, nerves 2, stout, excurrent, running from base to the apex but not biaristate. Flowers axillary, usually 2, sometimes 3 or 4 in each axil, pedicel short, jointed just below the tip, perianth lobes 5, outer tepals keeled, styles 2, stigmas capitate. Nut trigonous, black or dark brown, shining, broadest below the middle, 1.5 - 2 mm long.