Perennial somewhat scabrid herb or subshrub, up to 1 m. tall; stems many, four-angled, angles often rough with irregular thickenings. Lvs opp., lanceolate, acute, lamina 2.5-5 cm. long, on petiole up to 1 cm. long, smaller and more nearly sessile in upper parts, serrate, shining and somewhat scabrid. Infl. racemose to paniculate, lfy bracts subtending clusters of up to six fls with narrow bracteoles (sts reduced to one). Fls ± drooping, on very short terete pedicels. Calyx-lobes 4, acute, persistent. Petals 4, boat-shaped, deciduous; stamens 8, falling early, filaments very short and slender, anthers longer, oblong, yellow; ovary 4-winged, styles 4, very short; stigmas 4, oblong, obtuse; fr. with wings on the 4 angles, 4-locular, with one seed in each loculus.

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