Herbs, annual or perennial, with taproot. Stems fascicled, decumbent to erect, branching distally, 0.5–3 dm. Leaves opposite or subopposite; stipules absent; petiole absent; blade elliptic to elliptic-spatulate, 1.5–4(–4.5) × 0.5–1.4(–1.8) cm, base narrowly cuneate, margins prominently spinulose-dentate, teeth without prominent blackened tips, not incurved, apex acuminate; midvein and secondary veins prominent. Inflorescences sessile, 1–1.2(–2) cm; staminate flowers crowded, 1 per node; pistillate flowers 1–3, crowded; bracts linear-lanceolate, to 2 mm, apex acute, glands patelliform, long-stalked, 1.5–-2 mm diam. Staminate flowers: calyx to 1 mm. Pistillate flowers: sepals 0; styles connate only at base, to 3 mm. Capsules ovoid, 3.5 × 4–4.5 mm, deeply 3-lobed; lobes of gynobase 2 mm; columella sometimes persistent. Seeds mottled light gray, cylindric-ovoid, 3.5 × 1.8 mm, smooth; caruncle absent.
Home