Annual wetland herb, 1–6 (–13) cm high. Leaves ± terete, 0.4–3 (–7) cm long, 0.3–0.6 mm diam.; basal sheath with fine acute auricles 0.5–1.2 mm long. Scape at fruiting erect to decumbent, 1–4 (–6) cm long, 0.2–0.4 mm diam. Infructescence a spike (sometimes a spikelike raceme), 0.2–4.5 (–6.2) cm long, 2.5–4 mm diam.; pedicels absent, or sometimes to 0.2 mm long. Fruits 3–38 per infructescence, from spreading at right angles to semi-ascending, very narrowly pyramidal to subobloid, 1.0–2.2 mm long, 0.4–0.6 mm diam. at greatest width. Carpels 6, 3 fertile alternating with 3 sterile, separating at maturity; mature fertile carpels with dorsal surface ± flat to slightly concave but with a low fine narrow longitudinal ridge down midline and with narrow edges basally rounded or extended into short obtuse, not spurred, points; central axis clearly visible between edges of mature carpels.
Usually in saline to subsaline sands or sandy clays bordering ephemeral waters of saltpans or lakes, or in subsaline pools on granite rocks, rarely in heathland swamps; often with low halophytic herbs and sedges; also coastal cliffs.
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