Glabrous shrub, greenish to reddish, woody at base, 10-20 cm. Main stem (rootstock) prostrate, rooting; branches ascending to erect. Leaves about 2 mm., forming a cupular sheath. Flowers with middle flower projecting above the lateral ones. Perianth of middle flower rhomboidal or trapezoidal at top. Stigmas 3, rarely 2. Seeds subglobular, covered with thin, relatively long, somewhat hooked or curved hairs. Fl. July-November.