Annual herb 5–15 cm tall. Stems almost smooth, sparsely pubescent. Leaves opposite, ±sessile, lanceolate to oblanceolate, rarely obovate, glabrous, or sparsely appressed pilose on upper surface; lamina usually 3–6 mm long; margins thickened, serrate with usually 6–8 minute teeth. Bracts alternate, lanceolate, usually 2–2.5 mm long, entire, green; bracteoles absent, replaced by c. 4 long hairs. Flowers 4-merous, almost sessile. Sepals deltoid, 0.3–0.5 mm long,smooth, green. Petals 0.6–1.2 mm long, deep red. Stamens 4, opposite sepals; anthers 0.4–0.6 mm long. Ovary purplish brown; lower part globular, irregularly verrucose; upper part 8-ribbed, glabrous. Fruit urceolate, 1–1.3 mm long, silver-grey to reddish.
Home