Plant frequently suffruticose or growing in erect clumps, 0.3–1.5 m, branched from about the base, stems simple or with long ascending branches, ± densely whitish- or yellowish-tomentose or pannose, when very dense the indumentum often appearing tufted. Leaves alternate, varying from linear to ± round, equally variable in size, ± densely white- or yellowish-pannose but usually more thinly so and greener on the upper surface, margins flat or ± involute (when strongly so the leaves frequently ± falcate-recurved), sessile or shortly petiolate. Spikes white to creamy-pink, cylindrical, dense and stout (to c. 10 x 1 cm) to slender and interrupted with lateral globose clusters. Flowers dioecious, male spikes slender (though not all slender spikes are male). Outer 2 tepals of female flowers 2–3 mm, oblong-obovate to obovate-spathulate, lanate, the yellowish midrib ceasing well below the tip; inner 3 slightly shorter, elliptic-oblong, ± densely lanate, acute, the narrow green vitta attaining 2/3 of their length. Style slender, at least equalled by the filiform stigmas; filaments very reduced, without anthers. Male flowers smaller, the outer tepals 1.5–2.25 mm; filaments delicate, the anthers ± equalling the perianth; ovary small, style very short with a rudimentary stigma. Capsule 1–1.5 mm, round, compressed.
