A perennial undershrub; rootstock woody; stems numerous, prostrate, stout, woody, 1 ft. or more long, with ascending branches, becoming black when dried, all younger parts green when fresh; branches 4–6 in. long, with numerous long and short lateral branches. Leaves scale-like, orbicular-ovate, subacute, 1/2 lin. long, fleshy, margins minutely ciliolate. Flowers terminating short leafy axillary branches; bracts and bracteoles orbicular-ovate, apiculate, minutely ciliolate, about 1/2 lin. long, forming an involucre. Perianth white, 7/8 lin. long; lobes 1/2 lin. long, ovate, subacute, glabrous, slightly hooded, margins membranous, slightly papillose. Anthers and filaments 1/5 lin. long. Style 1/2 lin. long. Fruit black when dry, globose-ovoid, 1 1/4 lin. long, 1 lin. broad, ribs and veins not prominent.
