Annual, erect or diffused, slender herb, 20-80 cm high, stem slightly membranous, glabrous or pubescent; leaves alternate, broadly ovate, acute or acuminate at apex, glabrous; petioles slender; flowers spicate, long pedunculate, 3-nate, outer 2 reduced to crested scales, bracts persistent, subulate, subtending a shortly pedunculate, partial, inflorescence, consisting of a central fertile flower and 2 highly modified, sterile, 1-bracteolate, lateral flowers; flower white often with pink or red tinge; perianth segments 5, sepaloid, unequal, 2 outer lobes larger, concave, 5-9 nerved, 3 inner much narrower, thin, obtuse, 2-4 nerved; stemen 5, distinct, filaments filiform; anthers 2 celled; ovary 1-locular, ovule solitary, style filiform, stigma 2, recurved; fruits sub globose, compressed, rugolose, keeled with persistent style; seeds erect, globose or compressed, yellowish-brown.