Herbs annual, 10-30 cm tall. Stem branched from base; branches alternate or lower ones subopposite, white, sublustrous, ribbed, glabrous. Leaves light gray-green, broadly linear, 2-5 cm × 5-7 mm, fleshy, glabrous, base slightly decurrent, apex spinose mucronate; midvein distinct abaxially. Flowers solitary, borne throughout plant; bracts leaflike, longer than bractlets. Perianth (including wings) 5-8 mm in diam. in fruit; segments lanceolate, membranous, below middle hardened in fruit, abaxially winged from middle, glabrous; portion of segment above wing reflexed, with others appearing starlike, not enclosing utricle, lanceolate, membranous, apex abruptly acute; 3 wings semiorbicular, larger, with several sparse, stout veins; other 2 wings very small. Anthers free from base to near apex, 1.5-2 mm; appendage ovate, apex obtuse. Stigmas 3-4 × as long as style. Seed horizontal. Fl. Jun-Jul, fr. Jul-Aug.
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