Stems terete or slightly flattened below nodes; internodes to 8 cm long; 1 pair of prominent, yellowish basal cataphylls 0.2-0.3 cm above base of each lateral branch, and a similar pair at base of each percurrent leaf-bearing internode. Petiole 0.2 cm long; blade rather leathery, narrowly ovate, to 4 x 1 cm, apex attenuate, base contracted to petiole. Monoecious. Inflorescences paired or clustered at nodes but also terminal, about 1.5 cm long, lateral inflorescence mostly with 1 pair of sterile bracts followed by 0.1 cm peduncle and 3 fertile internodes with 3 flowers per fertile bract (1 on terminal internodes); male flowers in apical position above fertile bract and falling away very early, female ones in lateral series; terminal inflorescence of some plants with simple peduncle. Fruit yellow-orange to red, ovoid, 0.4 x 0.3 cm, perianth segments spreading.