Herbs annual. Stems erect, 20-80 cm tall, usually much branched; branchlets spreading. Leaves persistent; petiole short or nearly absent; leaf blade lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate, abaxially with slightly prominent midvein and conspicuous lateral veins, adaxially with conspicuous midvein and lateral veins, base narrow, apex acute; ocrea: lower part brown, upper part white, tubular, 7-8 mm, membranous, 6-or 7-veined, usually lacerate. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, interrupted. Pedicel 1.5-2 mm, slender. Perianth green, margin pinkish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, ca. 1.5 mm. Stamens 8; filaments dilated at base. Styles 3, short; stigmas capitate. Achenes equaling or slightly exceeding persistent perianth, brown, slightly shiny, ovoid, trigonous, 2-3 mm, densely punctate. Fl. Jun-Jul, fr. Aug-Sep.
A herb.