Centemopsis conferta (Schinz) Suess.

Annual herb 0.2–1 m. tall, simple below the inflorescence or with numerous divaricate-ascending branches in the lower part of the stem.. Stem and branches wiry, terete below in large plants, more usually conspicuously striate with pale ridges and green furrows, glabrous or thinly pilose in the younger parts and about the nodes.. Leaves narrowly linear to filiform, 2–7 × 0.1–0.4 cm., glabrous or thinly pilose, usually scabrid at least along the revolute margins, attenuate at each end, distinctly mucronate at the apex.. Inflorescences solitary and terminal or 2–4 on lateral branches, stout and very dense, spicate, (1–)1.7–8 × (0.6–)0.8–1.2 cm., greenish-white to brownish-pink or red; axis densely lanate, almost concealed by the patent-ascending dense persistent bracts.. Bracts concave, narrowly oblong and almost parallel-sided to spathulate, ± 3–4 mm., membranous, abruptly narrowed to the short arista formed by the excurrent nerve, glabrous or sparingly pilose.. Bracteoles narrowly lanceolate-oblong, shortly mucronate, only ± 1/2 as long as the perianth.. Flowers solitary in the axils of the bracts, slightly compressed.. Tepals oblong, 3–3.5 mm., gradually diminishing in width inwards, the 4 outer strongly 5-nerved, the innermost usually 3-nerved, all glabrous and broadly hyaline-margined above the middle, scarcely mucronate.. Filaments delicate, ± 2 mm., the pseudostaminodes ± 1 mm., narrowly oblong, fimbriate at the apex.. Ovary oblong-ellipsoid, glabrous.. Style slender, ± 1.5 mm., symmetrically placed.. Capsule oblong-ellipsoid, ± 1.5 mm.. Seed oblong-ellipsoid, shining brown, feebly reticulate, ± 1.25 mm.