Dwarf shrub, up to 0.7 m high. Leaves 5-10 mm long, alternate, simple, revolute and glandular at margins, linear, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, mucronate. Flowers in terminal clusters, pink; bracteoles absent. Calyx 5-parted; sepals 1.75-2.50 mm long. Petals 5, 3-4 mm long, hypogynous, imbricate. Staminodes opposite to petals, linear or lanceolate-linear, ± emarginate at apex, concave and puberulous above, with gland behind apex. Disc cupular. Ovary superior, of 3 almost free carpels with oblong processes; style glabrous. Flowering time Aug., Sept. Fruit 1-3-carpellate.
Single-stemmed, densely tangled, sprawling shrublet to 70 cm, unpleasantly scented, branching copiously at ground level. Leaves spine-tipped. Flowers in lax, terminal clusters, white with red spots, fragrant. Fruits 3-chambered.