Diffusely branched, prostrate to ascending herbs; stems terete, grooved, slender, many branches from the woody stock; leaves small, oblong, linear or obovate, very variable in size and shape; stipules hyaline, short; internodes usually shorter than the leaves; flowers rosy, solitary, axillary or 2-3 together; perianth free, petaloid, rose pink, cleft nearly to the base, obtuse, short and broad; stamens 5-8, perigynous; ovary compressed or trigonous, style 3 or 2, free, connate below, stigmas capitellate; nut, rhomboid, 3-gonous, shining, black, enclosed within enlarged perianth; seed albuminous.