Dwarf-shrub, mealy-canescent, 10-30 cm. Stems numerous, erect or ascending, branching, leafy, terete, white. Leaves (0.5-) 2-4 x 0.5-1 cm., sessile, oblong to oblong-linear, rarely ovate to orbicular, somewhat tapering at base, obtuse, entire or sinuate-repand, the upper ones linear, acute. Flowers arranged in clusters of two kinds: those mixed of pistillate and staminate flowers form terminal spike-like or branched inflorescences; those consisting of only pistillate flowers are crowded in the leaf axils. Fruiting valves up to 5-7 x 3-5 mm., fused more than their half, deltoid or triangular to rhombic-cuneate at base, with 1 tooth on each side, mostly with tubercles, scales or appendages. Seeds about 1.5 mm. in diam., blackish or red. Fl. March-May (-August).