Herbs annual, 15-40 cm tall. Stem erect, branched from base, gray-green, densely tomentose mixed with erect, long, jointed hairs. Leaves spreading, gray-green, semiterete, 1-1.5 cm × 1.5-2 mm, densely pubescent mixed with erect, long hairs, base decurrent, apex obtuse. Inflorescence spikelike; bracts narrowly ovate, apex acute; bractlets lanceolate, shorter than or equaling bracts, longer than perianth. Perianth (including wings) 14-16 mm in diam. in fruit; segments lanceolate, membranous, hardened in fruit, abaxially winged from proximal middle part, pubescent; portion of segment above wing connivent into a cone, pubescent, apex acuminate; 3 wings light red or dark brown, semiorbicular or reniform, larger, membranous; other 2 wings narrower. Anther appendage shortly stalked, purple-red, vesicular, elliptic, subequaling anther. Stigmas subulate, very short, 1/7-1/6 as long as style. Seed horizontal. Fl. Jul-Aug, fr. Aug-Sep.
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