Perennial shrublet to 20 cm high, eventually broader than high. Major roots and base of stem with peeling pale brown bark. Stems much branched, usually purplish brown, epidermis of youngest internodes with unicellular papillae, whitish when dried. Leaves alternate, 16–24 x c. 2 mm, base attenuate into obscure petiole c. 1.5 mm long, tips subacute; axils with dense tuft of very fine white hairs up to 2.5 mm long, persisting long after leaf-fall. Inflorescence with involucre of 5–8 leaf-like bracts. Sepals ovate-triangular, 5–6.5 mm long, tip ± acute. Petals 5, obovate, tip rounded, 8–12 mm long, pale orange, orange-red, coral or deep pink. Stamens 15–30. Style bent sideways; stigma apparently 5-lobed. Capsule c. 2.5 mm diam.; calyptra 2.5 mm high. Seeds 0.6 mm long, dark brown; testa cells with deeply sinuate margins, gently domed to ± conical, sometimes with a central tubercle.
