Herbs annual, 30-40 cm tall. Stem branched from base, green; branches white striate, sparsely hispid along striae; basal branches ascending, elongate. Leaves semiterete, 2-3 cm × 1.5-2 mm, glabrous, base expanded, apex spinose mucronate. Inflorescence spicate; flowers axillary, solitary; bracts narrowly ovate, longer than bractlets, apex elongate, spinose mucronate; bractlets reflexed in fruit, narrowly ovate, abaxially with a white, stout vein, base expanded, margin membranous at base, apex elongate, spinose mucronate. Perianth (including wings) 7-10 mm in diam. in fruit; segments narrowly ovate, hardened and leathery in fruit, abaxially winged from middle, glabrous; portion of segment above wing connivent with others into a short cone, rigid; 3 wings reniform or obovate, larger, apex irregularly dentate; 2 other wings very narrow. Anthers ca. 1 mm; appendage extremely small. Stigmas equaling style. Seed horizontal. Fl. Jul-Aug, fr. Aug-Sep.
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