Glabrous or hairy annual herb to c. 50 cm tall; stems decumbent or prostrate, shining, succulent, minutely puberulent or glabrous, pale-ridged; taproot stout. Lvs 0.3-2-(4) cm long, linear-subulate to subterete or narrow-triangular, succulent, shining, glabrous, or puberulent below, especially on the pale midrib; margin often ciliolate; apex spine-tipped. Bracteoles < lvs, triangular-ovate, often ciliolate, spine-tipped. Perianth (1.5)-2-3 mm long; segments unequal, ± ovate, acuminate, becoming firm, accrescent; wing variously ribbed, becoming fan-like and up to 2-(3) mm wide, with spiny middle nerve prolonged beyond membrane. Stigmas slender, exserted. Fr. surrounded by spiny bracteoles, with persistent style base. Seed 1-2.5 mm diam., dark.