a variable weed; stems 1–2 ft. high, erect or decumbent, grooved, glabrous, often reddish; leaves in S. African specimens usually small, rarely reaching 2 in. long (including the petiole), varying from narrowly oblong to obovate, attenuated to the base; petioles variable in length; inflorescence in axillary, often ternate clusters; bracteoles about as long as the perianth or a little shorter, oblong-lanceolate, with a short recurved mucro; sepals 3, ovate-oblong, 1 lin. long, obtuse, with a short very slender mucro and an inconspicuous keel; anthers 3, about 1/2 lin. long; capsule ovoid, rather longer than the perianth, circumscissile about the middle, or sometimes indehiscent; stigmas 3, short; seeds 1/2 lin. in diam., lenticular, slightly margined, brown-black, shining. null
