procumbent, the branches ascending or erect, scabrous; leaves spuriously whorled, linear, simple or cut, tapering at base, acute, glabrous or scabrous, ciliolate; stipules leafy, numerous, resembling the leaves; peduncles filiform, one or two-flowered; bracts linear, elongate, distinct; calyx campanulate, semi-5-fid, lobes deltoid, acute; petals broadly obovate, flattish, twice as long as the calyx; ovary obovate, puberulous. Stems trailing, 2 feet long or more, with many erect, simple branches, 4–6 inches high, branches and leaves generally scabrous, sometimes very rough. Stipules quite like the leaves, 3/4 inch long, 1/2 line wide. Always to be known from M. diffusa which it resembles, by its separate (not connate) bracts, and usually by its more simple leaves.
