Herbs, annual, terrestrial or amphibious, 7-10[-40] cm. Stem usually creeping, sparsely to densely branched, 4-winged, wings not running into leaves. Leaves decussate, often alternate toward stem apex, narrowly elliptic, linear-lanceolate, oblong, or ovate, [2-]12-30 × 1.5-5 mm, base cordate to obtuse, apex obtuse, acute, or acuminate. Bracts of stem and lower branches like foliage leaves; bracts of axillary branchlets much smaller and broadly ovate, clasping. Flowers solitary in axils on main stem or in axillary spikes; bracteoles pink, lanceolate, equaling to surpassing floral tube. Floral tube (4 or)5-merous, campanulate, 1-2 mm; sepals (3-)5; epicalyx segments present between sepals, setiform, ca. 1/2 as long as to longer than sepals. Petals (4 or)5, bright pink or white, equal to or surpassing sepals, persistent. Stamens (3-)5; anthers reaching margin of floral tube. Ovary globose; style shorter than ovary, slightly exserted. Capsules subglobose, ca. 1.5 mm in diam., included, 3-valved. Seeds ca. 0.5 mm. Fl. and fr. Aug.
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