Flowers hermaphrodite. Perianth 5-lobed, the 2 outer lobes longer than the others. Stamens 5, hypogynous; filaments united into a short basal ring; anthers wide, introrse, dorsifixed. Ovary ovoid; ovule slightly campylotropous; style short; stigma thick, bifid. Utricle ovoid, enclosed between two orbicular reticulate wings (abortive flowers). A glabrous stiff herb, divaricately branched. Leaves linear. Flowers small, in 3-flowered clusters arranged in spikes near the ends of the branches, the central flower fertile, the two lateral reduced to wings.