Herbs, perennial, 20–70 cm, glabrous except for occasional hairs near nodes. Stems erect or spreading, branching at base and in inflorescence. Leaves: proximal in whorls of 4, distal alternate, or mostly whorled or mostly alternate, spreading to ascending; stipular glands present; blade lanceolate to oblanceolate, 10–20 × 2–6 mm, margins entire, of distal leaves ciliate, apex deltate-acute to obtuse. Inflorescences panicles; bracts ciliate. Pedicels 0–1 mm. Flowers: sepals persistent, lanceolate, 2–3.5 mm, margins of inner sepals scarious, glandular-toothed, apex acute; petals lemon yellow, oblanceolate to narrowly obcordate, 2.5–6 mm; stamens 2–5 mm; anthers 0.3–0.7 mm; staminodia usually present, sometimes absent; styles distinct, 1.6–3 mm; stigmas capitate. Capsules broadly ovoid, 1.5–2.5 × 2–2.5 mm, apex sharp-pointed (easily crushed), readily dehiscing into 10, 1-seeded segments, segments falling freely, false septa rudimentary, margins of true septa usually ciliate. Seeds 1–1.5 × 0.6–1 mm. 2n = 36.
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