Shrub or tree, nearly glabrous, generally (1-) 2-4 m. or more. Stems thick at base, much branched, young branches green, thin. Leaves 0.5-1.5 mm., more or less scale-like, short-triangular, acute to cuspidate at apex, connate into a cup villose within. Flowers minute, arranged in short, slender, spike-like branchlets. Stamens exserted; staminodes membranous, ovate, exceeding ovary. Stigmas 5, sessile. Fruiting perianth, with wings, (0.7-) 0.7-1.1 cm. across, entire to crenulate. Fl. February-April, Fr. November.

Var. idumaeum Zohary, Fl. Palaest. 1: 342 (1966). Leaves almost acute, very short-cuspidate (not long-cuspidate as in type). Wings almost entire at margin. Hab.: Sandy wadis. S. Negev, Arava Valley, Edom.

Var. maris-mortii Zohary, Fl. Palaest. 1: 342 (1966). Leaves as above but wings regularly crenulate margin at margins. Hab.: Wadis crossing a saline depression. Dead Sea Valley.