Pandiaka involucrata (Moq.) B.D.Jacks.

Annual herb, simple in very reduced plants, occasionally branched from the base with decumbent branches, but usually erect with many long, slender, erect branches, (0.25–)0.45–1.2(–2) m. tall; stems frequently red, terete below, ± quadrangular above, striate, clad (as are the branches) with an indumentum of ± dense, upwardly directed to subpatent whitish hairs.. Leaves lanceolate-oblong to oblong-elliptic, those of the main stems 2–10 × 0 .9–3 cm., ± abruptly contracted at the base (upper leaves sessile, the lower usually very shortly petiolate), obtuse-apiculate to subacute at the apex, thinly to moderately furnished with upwardly-directed or subpatent hairs, the upper surface usually darker.. Inflorescences subglobose to cylindrical, (1–)1.5–3.5(–5) × (1.25–)1.5–1.75 cm., the flowers very dense and concealing the white-pilose axis, sessile above 2–4 lanceolate to ovate, short leaves; commonly in groups of 3, a terminal with two laterals on widely spreading branches.. Bracts ovate-acuminate, ± 5–8 mm., membranous with a narrow or wider greenish central band, very shortly pilose along the midrib only to more generally long-pilose, the midrib excurrent in a distinct, sharp arista.. Bracteoles lanceolate-ovate, 6–9 mm., densely long-pilose at least along the midrib dorsally, the midrib excurrent in a sharp mucro, the tip of one bracteole (and not rarely the entire flower) ± curved.. Tepals narrowly lanceolate, the outer 2 densely appressed-pilose, narrowly pale-margined with a firm green centre, 6–8.25 mm.; inner 2 ± 0.5–1 mm. shorter, less pilose, 3 nerves sometimes visible in transmitted light only; middle tepal intermediate; all with a rigid, spine-like tip.. Stamens 2.5–5 mm., the filaments floccose-hairy near the base; pseudostaminodes flabellate, 0.75–1 mm., the margins ± floccose, dorsal scale absent in all material examined.. Ovary quadrate-obpyriform, slightly compressed, with a faint apical keel.. Style slender, (1–)2.5–3.25 mm.. Capsule turbinate (“drum-shaped”), ± 2.5 mm., with a broad, flat, firm apex; seeds oblong-ovoid, 2–2.25 mm., brown, shining, faintly reticulate.

It is a tropical plant.