Perennial herb to 25 cm. tall; stems caespitose, 4-angled, ascending, lower parts creeping, branched and rooting at the nodes, upper parts ± erect, the lower nodes with bases of fallen leaves somewhat spinulose.. Leaves decussate, sessile, the lower (usually submerged) and intermediate narrowly lanceolate, 2.5–3 mm. long, 0.6–1 mm. wide, truncate or ± bifid at the apex (sometimes eroded away fide Fernandes), narrowed at the base, upper lanceolate, narrowly elliptic, oblong or ± ovate, 4–8(–10) mm. long, 1–1.5(–4) mm. wide, obtuse at the apex, attenuate or slightly cordate at the base.. Flowers solitary and sessile in the axils; bracteoles white, linear, scarious, 0.6–1 mm. long, slightly exceeding the calyx-tube.. Calyx-tube white or pink, campanulate, ± 1 mm. long, not accrescent; lobes (3–)4, triangular, 0.5 mm. long; appendages absent.. Petals 3–4, lanceolate, very small or up to 0.25 mm. long, lanceolate, persistent.. Stamens (2–)4, slightly shorter than the calyx-lobes.. Ovary ellipsoid, 0.5–0.8 mm. long; style 0.5–1 mm. long, folded in bud.. Capsule ellipsoid, 2 mm. long, 2-valved, at length hidden by bases of leaves adpressed to the stem.. Seeds brown to black, ellipsoid, 0.75–1 mm. long.. Fig. 16.
Home