Prostrate or suberect annual herb, with branches to 25 cm. long, longitudinally ridged, the whole plant glabrous or usually at least the lower branches, leaves and capsules sparsely covered with fairly short spreading hairs.. Leaves ovate, to 10 × 7 mm., base rounded to subcordate and markedly oblique, apex rounded, margin entire or very obscurely toothed near the apex, hairs (when present) noticeable around the margin; petiole to 1 mm. long; stipules linear to 1 mm. long, occasionally deeply divided into 2–3 teeth.. Cyathia solitary on peduncles to 1 mm. long, terminal and pseudoaxillary on short leafy shoots, scarcely 1 × 1 mm., with cup-shaped involucres; glands 4, minute, transversely elliptic, green to purplish, with small entire or shallowly lobed white appendages; involucral lobes minute, triangular, ciliate.. Male flowers: bracteoles linear, deeply divided; stamens 0.8 mm. long.. Female flower: ovary pedicellate; styles 0.4 mm. long, spreading, bifid almost to the base.. Capsule exserted on a reflexed pedicel 2.5 mm. long, acutely 3-lobed, 1.5 × 1.75 mm., with the ridges often purple tinged.. Seeds ovoid, 1 × 0.6 mm., reddish brown, perfectly smooth.
Home