Polygamous annual herb 5–60 cm high, prostrate to erect; stems covered in curved hairs and scattered glandular and flexuose hairs. Leaves: lamina narrowly ovate to ovate, entire, broadly acuminate or blunt at apex, truncate or broadly cuneate or subcordate at base, mostly 1–3 cm long, 0.4–2.1 cm wide, sparsely pubescent to ± glabrous, lateral veins in 3 pairs; petiole 1–3 cm long. Inflorescence a 3-flowered cyme; central flower bisexual, supported by 1 sessile, small, non-reticulate bract; lateral flowers female, subtending bracts 3, free, broadly triangular-cordate (heart-shaped), hiding lateral flowers, with a conspicuous radial reticulate venation (the venation raised and reddish brown), becoming brown and hard at maturity; involucre shed with the fruit; perianth of all flowers similar, c. 2 mm long, midvein distinct and reddish brown; stigma sessile. Achenes c. 1.2 mm long, middle brown, sometimes crushed.
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