Anthospermum monticola Puff

Dioecious shrub, few-to several-stemmed, ± erect and cylindrical or roundish, low, ± cushion-forming if browsed excessively, c. (0.2-)0.3-1.5(-2) m tall, often with thick, woody tap root. Stems mostly much branched, branches ± spreading or curving upwards, usually paired. Leaves decussate, often pseudo-verticillate; blades (2-)3-10(-13) x (0.7-)1-2 mm, (ob)ovate, oblong, (ob)ovate-lanceolate to ± lanceolate, glabrous; petioles subobsolete; stipular sheath with a small seta. Flowers subsessile, in clusters of (2-)6 (rarely more) at nodes; corolla 4-merous, yellowish or greenish yellow, occasionally reddish purplish tinged outside, glabrous. 'Male': tube 0.3-0.5 mm long, broadly funnel-shaped to (sub)campanulate, lobes 2.2-2.7(-3) x (0.5-)0.8-1.2(-1.5) mm; anthers 1-2 mm long. 'Female': tube 0.4-0.5 mm long, lobes 0.3-0.4 x 0.2-0.4 mm; style 0; stigmas 2, c. 3-5 mm long; ovary c. (1.0-)1.3-1.8 x 0.8-1.0 mm, with 4 conspicuous calyx lobes. Fruit reddish brown to greyish brown; mericarps 2-3 x 1.5-2.0 mm, (broadly) ovate or obovate, oblong or ± elliptic, sometimes (faintly) 2-or 3-ribbed, glabrous, with 2 ± triangular, erect to ± spreading calyx lobes 0.3-0.6(-0.8) mm long.