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Leaves 1·5–4 × 0·5–1·2 cm., elliptic to elliptic-oblanceolate, attenuate-acute to subacute at the apex, cuneate at the base, entire in the proximal 1/3–1/2, serrate distally, very scattered along the stem and branches but very closely arranged and forming subcapitate aggregates at their extremities; lateral nerves ascending, somewhat prominent above like the midrib; petiole 1–5 mm. long.
Stem up to 27 cm. tall, erect, usually much-branched from the base, rarely simple; lower branches frequently as long as or longer than the main stem and decumbent or patent, the others patent or ascending, few-branched or unbranched, all terete, brownish to dark purplish.
Peduncle 1–2 mm. long and straight in flower, up to 5(6) mm. long and suddenly deflexed at the top in fruit, densely long-setose (the setae ascending) mainly towards the apex.
Petals 4–6 mm. long, narrowly oblanceolate-spathulate, obtuse, pale yellow to orange, glabrous, falling off with the calyx and the stamens after pollination.
An annual herb covered all over with long, appressed or subappressed yellowish hairs denser on young parts especially on petioles and nerves of the leaves.
Seeds 1–1·5 × 0·7 mm., slightly curved, at first pale, then dark brown, later nearly black; aril cordate, thin, subhyaline, c. half as long as the seed.
Flowers narrowly cylindrical, concealed by the subtending leaves; calyx 2–2·5 mm. long; lobes oblong, rounded at the apex and with 1–3 subapical setae.
Ovary narrowly ovoid, subglabrous; styles of unequal length (shorter in the brevistylous flowers, longer in the longistylous ones).
Capsule 2–2·5 × 1·5 mm., ellipsoid-cylindrical to subglobose, smooth, papillose at the apex, reflexed, with 3–10 seeds.
Stamens with somewhat unequal filaments and short, cordate, pale yellow anthers.
Bracteoles 2, below the flower, very small, opposite.