A sprawling, compact plant which forms a dense mat.
Herbage without hairs; fruit capsule less than 2mm long, without hairs, widest below the middle and ridged; opposite leaves about up to 1/2 inch long and not symmetric at the base; well developed stipules; elliptic glands on the flower bracts.
Habitat
Its native habitat is sandy, rocky areas and semi-desert. It can be used to stabilize disturbed areas.
Flower Characteristics
Very small staminate flowers around each pistillate flower creates a rounded cluster.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Entire leaf margins and smooth stems secrete a milky sap when broken. The main stem emanates from a strong taproot.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Purplish seed capsules are 3 lobed and less than 1/16 inch long.
Tiny, ridged oblong seeds. The seeds are coarsely transcorrugated which gives the plant its common name.