Glabrous or glabrate, taprooted annual; stems erect to spreading, 0.1-1 m tall, often reddish, glabrous or with scattered antrorse hairs. Lvs on main stem similar to those on branches; petiole 2-12-(20) mm long. Lamina (1.2)-4-15 × 1.2-4 cm, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, usually with a central dark blotch above, with scattered appressed hairs or more obviously hairy on midrib below, inconspicuously glandular-punctate, ciliate, entire; base cuneate; apex acute to acuminate. Ochreae to c. 1.5 cm long, fringed, often hairy, initially truncate, green or pinkish. Fls in erect, dense, spike-like, eglandular infls; spike usually not interrupted below, cylindric, sometimes very narrow and open, mostly terminal, to 4-(5) × 0.7-1.5 cm; peduncles eglandular; pedicels short, ± hidden amongst ochreae-like bracts; bracts always long-ciliate. Perianth 2-3 mm long, somewhat accrescent, eglandular, usually pale to deep pink, occasionally white; segments ± broad-elliptic, imbricate; veins straight or gently curved. Nuts 2-2.5 mm long, biconvex or trigonous with rounded margins, sometimes slightly biconcave, brownish black, shining.