Herbs, annual, 5–30 cm, hirsutulous on angles distally, otherwise glabrous. Stems ascending to erect, branched from base. Leaves proximalmost opposite, distal alternate, imbricate throughout, proximal leaves spreading to ascending, distal closely appressed; stipular glands absent; blade awl-shaped, 5–10 × 0.5–1 mm, margins entire, distalmost narrowly scarious, not ciliate, apex of proximal leaves sharp-pointed, distal with short, slender terminal awn. Inflorescences panicles; bracts not ciliate. Pedicels 3–15 mm. Flowers: sepals persistent, lanceolate to ovate, 4.5–7 mm, margins broadly scarious, entire, or sparsely delicately toothed or, in age, ± lacerate, not glandular-toothed, apex conspicuously awn-tipped; petals yellow, with or without dark red base, obovate, 8–12 mm; stamens 5 mm; anthers 1–1.6 mm; staminodia absent; styles connate to 0.3–1.1 mm of apex, 2.7–6.3 mm; stigmas capitate. Capsules broadly ovoid, 2.7–3.5 × 2.8–3.6 mm, apex rounded, dehiscing into 5, 2-seeded segments, segments persistent plant, false septa entirely hyaline, or with very narrow, uniform, distal cartilaginous portion, margins tomentose near apex. Seeds 2–2.7 × 1–1.2 mm. 2n = 30.
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