Slender annual herb with spreading branches erect to 25 cm. high, glabrous except for the basal part of stem and basal leaves which are minutely puberulous, the whole plant often tinged with red.. Leaves linear, to 23 × 2 mm., base obliquely rounded, apex acute, margin entire; petiole 1 mm. long; stipules linear, 0.75 mm. long.. Cyathia solitary on peduncles 1 mm. long, terminal and pseudoaxillary on short leafy shoots, 1 × 1 mm., with barrel-shaped involucres; glands minute, transversely elliptic, red, with narrow pink appendages; lobes triangular with margin ciliate.. Male flowers: bracteoles filamentous; stamens 1.5 mm. long.. Female flower: ovary pedicellate; styles 0.5 mm. long, spreading, bifid to halfway.. Capsule exserted on a reflexed pedicel 1.25 mm. long, acutely 3-lobed, 1.75 × 1.75 mm.. Seeds oblong-conical, 1.25 × 0.7 mm., pinkish brown, shallowly pitted.. Fig. 79/1–4, p. 427.
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