Perennial herb or subshrub. Stems to c. 1 m tall, decumbent to erect, freely branching, 4-angled, glabrous or scabrid. Lvs opposite. Petiole (0.2)-0.5-1.7-(3) cm long. Lamina (1.2)-1.5-7-(9) × (0.3)-0.5-2.5-(3.5) cm, lanceolate to elliptic or oblong-elliptic (subsp. erecta), orbicular to broad-ovate (subsp. cartilaginea), strongly serrate with teeth to 4 mm long, glabrous or scabridulous; lateral veins obscure; base cuneate to truncate. Dichasia of 3-7 fls; primary bracts ± serrate. Pedicels 0.5-0.6 mm long, to 1 mm at fruiting, deflexed until anthesis. Fls 4-merous, often reddish. Sepals 0.8-1.2 mm long, deltoid, erect, persistent. Petals 1.5-2-(2.5) mm long. Stamens 8. Anthers 1.2-1.7 mm long, oblong, red or yellow, the inner < outer. Ovary 4-celled, ribbed. Stigmas ± pink. Fr. 1.8-3 × 1.5-2.5-(4) mm (including the usually present, variable, deltoid wings), usually ovoid, rugose or smooth between ribs or wings.
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