Dwarf shrub, ± erect, often with thick, woody root. Stems c. 0,25^0,4 m long, much-branched, branches usually single at nodes, branching often pseudodichotomous* and ± irregular. Leaves decussate; blades (3-)5-9 (-11) x 0,7-1 mm, linear, needle-like and ± rigid, semiterete to ± triangular in section, glaÂbrous or margins ± papillate, upper surface and midrib sometimes (dark) brownish red. Flowers mostly single at nodes, sometimes also terminal and overtopped by short lateral shoots arising below; corolla 5(rarely 4)-merous, yellowish (?). ("male"): tube c. 0,8 mm long, funnel-shaped, lobes 2,5-3,4 (-4) x 0,6-1 mm; anthers 1,4-2,4 mm long; minute rudimentary ovary sometimes with well discernible calyx lobes. ("female"): tube 0,1-0,2 mm long, lobes 0,3-0,8 x 0,1-0,2 mm; stigmas (1,5—)2—4 mm long; ovary 1,2-2 x 0,7-1 mm, with 5 conspicuous calyx lobes. Fruit dehiscent, supported by a small carpophore or carpophore sometimes ± absent, reddish brown; mericarps 3-5 X l,9-2,5(-3) mm, oblong to obovate, glabrous or papillate, with 3 or 2 triangular calyx lobes c. 0,6-1,2 X 0,3-0,5 mm. Chromosome number. 2n=22. Reference: * Vigorous lateral branches push main axes to the side; a Y-like appearance of the branchings results.
