Dwarf ± erect or procumbent herb with prostrate or ascending stems 2.5–15(–20) cm. long, glabrous, pubescent or slightly prickly from a creeping lower stem.. Leaves green to purplish, in whorls of 3–6; blades oblanceolate or spathulate, widest near the apex, 2.5–8 mm. long, 1–2.5 mm. wide, with a short triangular acute acumen at the tip, gradually attenuated to the base, glabrous or with a few sparse hairs, the margins only very slightly recurved, without or with only a few recurved prickles.. Inflorescences 1–2(–4)-flowered, on short lateral shoots 3–4 mm. long, bearing 1–2 leaf-like bracts; flowers shortly pedicellate or sessile, but fruiting pedicels up to 2 mm. long.. Calyx-tube ovoid, 0.6–0.9 mm. long, 0.6–0.8 mm. wide.. Corolla greenish cream or pink; tube 0.15–0.3 mm. long; lobes ovate, 0.6–1.2 mm. long, 0.5–0.6(–0.8) mm. wide, acute.. Fruit black, 1.5–2.3 mm. long, 2.5–3 mm. wide, glabrous, the epicarp papery in the dry state; cocci black, ovoid, 1.7 mm. long, 1.1 mm. wide, wrinkled or in case of fruit reduced to 1 subglobose coccus, 3 mm. long, 2.5 mm. wide.
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