Simple branching, erect or ascending; narrow to somewhat broadened leaves, with slightly toothed or smooth edges, flower clusters at the top of the plant; sharply 4-sided seeds.
Stems often straight; leaves narrow to broadened, margins toothed or smooth, opposite, often alternate toward end of stems; bracts form cups at branch tips, have petal-like appendages, glands, male flowers, 1 female flower; capsules hairy; 4-sided seeds.
Habitat
Dry areas.
Flower Characteristics
Male and female flowers on same plant in clusters at tip of the branches, female flower surrounded by male flowers; flower clusters surrounded by green, pale green, white, or mauve cup-shaped bracts with white petal-like appendages.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems have stiff, straight, flat hairs with gland-like appendages at base of stalk; leaves 1 to 2-3/4 inches long, mostly opposite, lower ones sometimes alternate; lance-like or oblanceolate (tapering toward the stem); margins smooth or slightly toothed.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsules covered with short stiff hairs; ovaries covered by layer of fine hairs.
Seeds sharply 4-sided.