annual, 3–18 in. high, branching at the base or sometimes simple; stems simple or alternately branching, puberulous or glabrous; leaves opposite, shortly petiolate, 1/4–1 1/2 in. long, 1/6– 3/4 in. broad, oblong, oblong-lanceolate, elliptic or ovate, subacute to rounded at the apex, oblique at the base, minutely toothed or rarely entire, puberulous beneath or on both sides; stipules divided into 2 or more slender fimbriate segments; cymes axillary, 1/6– 1/2 in. in diam., laxly few- to densely many-flowered, on a peduncle 1/10– 3/4 in. long, puberulous or glabrous, often with a pair of leaves at its apex; bracts 1/2– 2/3 lin. long, lanceolate, acuminate, ciliate or entirely glabrous; involucres about 1/2 lin. long, on peduncles 1/2–1 lin. long, cup-shaped, puberulous or glabrous, with 4 appendaged glands and 5 lobes; glands minute, orbicular or transversely elliptic; appendages spreading, transversely elliptic, entire, 1/4– 1/3 lin. broad, white; capsule 1 lin. in diam., pubescent or glabrous; styles deeply bifid; seeds ellipsoid, 4-angled, slightly transversely rugose, whitish-grey to reddish-brown, with a glaucous hue at the apex or all over. null
