Much-branched annual to c. 60 cm with linear-lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate-elliptic leaves 4–9 x 0.4–1.9 cm. Thyrses lax, ovoid, to 3.5 x 4 cm, composed of 1–4 alternate cincinni; bracteoles asymmetrically cup-shaped, usually perfoliate. Pedicels 4–8 mm long, ± uniformly recurved in fruit c. 120–180°, puberulous at least apically; sepals with bilobed glands near the apex, without marginal glands, puberulous; petals pale blue; staminodes 3, apparently all with bilobed antherodes. Capsules stipitate, 3-celled, 2-valved, obovate to subquadrate, 4–4.5 x 3.4–4 mm, carinate dorsally, apex emarginate; dorsal valve deciduous; cells all 1-seeded. Seeds strongly dimorphic, transversely elliptic in outline; seed from dorsal cell hemispherical, c. 2.7 mm long, 2 mm wide, 1.7 mm thick, smooth, orange-buff; seeds from ventral cells 2.7–3.2 x c. 2 x 1.3–1.5 mm, testa scrobiculate to transversely ribbed, whole surface covered by a blackish brown to whitish, matted, farinose layer that can be scraped off.