Nenax arenicola Puff

Dwarf shrub, intricately branched, often rounded, c. 0.3-0.5 m in diam. and c. 0.2-0.75(-1) m tall, frequently with thick, woody root. Stems ascending to erect, ± much branched; branches typically paired at nodes, spreading to ascending, branching very irregular if browsed. Leaves decussate, sometimes pseudoverticillate; blades (5-)7-13(-16) x 0.5-1 mm, linear, often shallowly concave above and conve x below or ± semiterete in section, glabrous or margins ± papillate. Flowers paired or single at nodes, widely spaced; corolla 4(-5)-merous, greenish yellow, sometimes purplish tinged, ('male'): tube 0.4-0.8 mm long, broadly funnel-shaped, lobes 2-2.9 x 0.6-0.8 mm; anthers 1.6-1.9 mm long ('female'): tube ±0 or 0.1-0.3 mm long, lobes 0.5-1(-1.3) x 0.1-0.3 mm; stigmas 3-5.4 mm long, purplish red or whitish grey tinged purplish; ovary c. 2.2-2.9 x 1-1.4 mm, with 4-5 small calyx lobes. Fruit indehiscent, hard, not supported by a carpophore, 5-8 x 2-3.5 mm, ellipsoidal, reddish brown to dark grey, glabrous, with 4-5 often ± indistinct rounded calyx lobes to c. 0.4-0.5 mm long.