Robust annual with a small root system and many crowded leafy stems; stems 5–20 cm long and 0.5–1.5 mm thick, erect, glabrous, terete or subterete with 3–4 leaves. Leaves to c. 10 cm long and 1 mm wide, flat to inrolled or canaliculate, gradually tapering to an acute tip. Inflorescence lax but with flowers in clusters, to c. 12 cm long and 5 cm wide, from the upper part of the stem only. Bracteoles 2, 1.5–2 mm long, ovate, usually uncoloured. Tepals ovate-lanceolate with a green to brown midrib and a prominent wide translucent margin; outer tepals c. 5 mm long, acuminate and much longer than the capsule; inner tepals c. 4 mm long, obtuse to acute, only slightly longer than the capsule. Capsule 3.5–4 mm long, subprismatic to ellipsoid, obtuse to subacute. Seeds c. 0.3 mm long, smooth or minutely reticulate.