Annual, rarely longer lived, tufted, light green or, in dry situations, often red-tinged, extremely variable, (2.5) -10-20- (40) cm high, whole plant easily pulled out of ground, roots fibrous. Stems simple or branched near base, branching above to form inflorescence. Leaves few, mostly basal, occasionally cauline, ± setaceous, ± channelled, auricles absent. Inflorescence highly variable in size and shape, often ⅔ length of whole plant. Flowers sessile, borne singly or in 2-7-flowered clusters. Tepals (3) -4-6- (9) mm long, outer tepals longer-acuminate than inner. Stamens (3) -6.Capsule (2.5) -3-4 mm long, < tepals, oblong, blunt, green to bright red-brown.