Perennial up to 50 cm. high, diffuse, much-branched. Young stems pruinose-papulose, with decurrent ridges, the older terete, pale-coloured, almost smooth. Leaves 2–2·5 × 0·2–0·6 cm., subfleshy, lanceolate, expanded, folded or slightly revolute, papulose especially on the inferior surface, narrowed at base into a petiole up to 4 mm. long. Inflorescences axillary, solitary or geminate, disposed in a loose nearly leafless raceme. Flowers up to 3 mm. long, greenish or yellowish, with slender pedicels 1–2 cm. long, elongating at the fruiting stage. Perianth-segments 4, 2–3 mm. long, oblong, acute and papulose. Stamens c. 15, with linear-oblong anthers more or less as long as the filaments. Ovary wholly inferior, 2–4-locular; styles 2–4, very slightly longer than the stamens. Fruit up to 2·5 cm. long and wide, suborbicular, 2–4-locular, (3)4-winged, notched at top, rounded or rather abruptly narrowed at the base; wings firm, with reticulate veins and distinct intermediate ridges.
