Plants sometimes red-tinged, intricately branched, evenly rounded, to 0.7-1 m, low; proximal branches in contact with ground, forming mat. Leaves mostly clustered on cushionlike base on older wood; blade dull green to grayish green, usually terete and arcuate, 0.5-1(-1.6) cm, pubescent. Inflorescences: pistillate flowers and staminate spikes on shortened branches with 1-3 barely discernible internodes; staminate spikes usually to 10 mm. Fruits (2-)6-12 mm; wing (0.8-)1-2 cm diam. Seeds 2 mm. 2n = 108.