Perennial covered with short, matted hairs forming small clumps, has a frosted appearance; stems erect or ascending, may be almost flat on the ground in open flats especially so in disturbed soil; stems slender, reddish, repeatedly forking.
Clusters of 15 to 20 males, 1 female flower in leaf axils and branch tips, petal-like appendages white, longer than reddish-purple glands; capsules hairy; leaves opposite, fine curly hairs on both sides. Curly hairs on stems too; seeds wrinkled, 4-angled.
Habitat
Found on dry, rocky slopes or flats, sunny hillsides and along washes. Can be found on disturbed soils.
Flower Characteristics
Flower clusters of cup-like structures enclose a single female flower and 15 to 20 male flowers (cyathia); 4 red, reddish-purple nectar glands; white, scalloped, petal-like appendages, usually much wider than subtending nectar glands.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaf blades opposite, oval-shaped, 1/16 to 1/2 inch long, green to dark red with age; asymmetrical bases; pair of leaf-like appendages (stipules) at base of leaf stem united on lower side, distinct on upper. Stems sometimes reddish.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Lobed capsule with short, matted hairs; oval-shaped; sharply angled.
Seeds white, oval-shaped, 4-angled in cross section, smooth to wrinkled or alveolate (honeycomb pattern).