Flora of North America species comparison

numerous from base, erect or prostrate, branched, ribbed, not jointed, not armed, not fleshy.

3–10 cm, base often buried with long internodes and scalelike leaves, above-ground portion densely leafy with overlapping leaves.

opposite (rarely alternate), connate, clasping at base, sessile, succulent;

blade linear or broadly ovate, margins entire, apex acute or apiculate.

of main stems often auriculate-clasping at base;

blade flat (not terete) with keel-like midrib, broadly ovate, 2.3–4(–4.7) × 2.5–3.5 mm at base, apex mucronate or apiculate.

axillary, flowers solitary or in 2–3-flowered clusters, bibracteate.

solitary, sessile flowers.

bisexual, with 1 or 2 bractlets ± equaling perianth length;

perianth deeply 5[–7]-parted, segments strongly imbricate, chartaceous;

stamens 5;

stigmas 2.

perianth segments erect, pinkish, ovate, 2.3–3.5 mm;

stamens included;

filaments shortly connate basally;

style equaling stigma branches.

vertical, lenticular;

seed coat black, shiny;

embryo annular, perisperm copious.

black, ca 1.2 mm, shiny.

structures: fruit a utricle;

pericarp free from seed, membranous, indehiscent.

concealed by persistent calyx.

= 9.