Scabrous-puberulent or glabrous annual, 20-40 cm. Stems ascending to erect, much branching, indurated, somewhat woody at base. Leaves usually 0.5-1.5 x 0.1-0.3 cm., recurved, linear-subulate, somewhat connate and dilated at base, mucronate-spinu¬lose at apex, with membranous, ciliate margins; axils frequently bearing short branches or buds. Bracts ovate, short-cuspidate; bracteoles boat-shaped. Flowers opposite in short and rather dense (spike-like) inflorescences. Perianth segments free almost to base, oblong-ovate, somewhat acute. Anthers 0.4–0.6 mm. long, short-apiculate. Fruiting perianth with 3 suborbicular, entire or denticulate wings; wings broadly ovate or rhombic, their margins entire or toothed, in fruit whitish to brownish, arising from 1.0–1.5 mm. below the apex of the tepals. Fruits 2-2.7 mm., ovoid to oblong-ovoid. Fl. August-October.