Subshrubs, to 25 cm, puberulent or glabrescent in proximal 1/3, otherwise glabrous; roots relatively thick, lateral. Stems stiffly ascending, suffrutescent from woody branching base. Leaves alternate, tightly appressed or ascending to spreading; stipular glands present throughout, dark; blade linear to linear-lanceolate, proximal and midstem leaves 3–10(–12) mm, distal leaves 3–7 × 0.6–1 mm, margins of proximal and midstem leaves entire, distal serrulate, teeth usually gland-tipped, not ciliate, apex of proximal and midstem leaves mucronate, distal acuminate-aristate. Inflorescences few-flowered panicles; bracts with irregular scarious margins. Pedicels 2–3 mm, conspicuously articulated. Flowers: sepals deciduous, lanceolate, 4.5–7 mm, margins not scarious, glandular-toothed, apex acute-aristate, glabrous; prominently 1-nerved; petals pumpkin yellow with a wide, pale, red band distal to a deeply wine red band at base, broadly obovate, 10–13 mm; stamens 5.5–7 mm; anthers 1.2–1.6 mm; staminodia absent; styles connate nearly to apex, 7–9 mm; stigmas dark, capitate. Capsules ovoid, 3.7–4 × 3 mm, apex obtuse, dehiscing into 5, 2-seeded segments, segments persistent on plant, false septa complete, translucent, proximal part membranaceous, not terminating in loose fringe, distal part cartilaginous, margins ciliate. Seeds 2.4–2.7 × 0.9–1.1 mm.
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