Annual herb, erect, to 25 cm high, subsucculent, usually glabrous, sometimes minutely papillose. Leaves opposite; lamina linear-terete, to 1.5 cm long. Flowers usually solitary, sometimes some in dichasia, predominantly 6-merous; peduncle 0.5–1.7 cm long; bracteoles to 2 mm long, to 3.5 mm below flower. Hypanthium globose, 3–4 mm deep, scarcely ribbed except in young bud; appendages obscure to absent. Sepals usually 6, triangular, to 1 mm long. Petals usually 6, ovate, 2–3 mm long, purple. Stamens 6, inserted basally; anthers exserted. Capsule globose, c. 4 mm diam.; dehiscence irregular.
Grows in damp sandy soil or heavier soil, such as black soil and clay, at the edge of creeks, lagoons, claypans and in grassland.
Home