Shrub or small tree; stem unarmed, dichotomously much branched, branches spreading like stout rushes, erect, terete, green, cylindric, succulent, whorled or clustered; leaves alternate, scaly, linear-oblong, narrow, thick, caducous or absent; cyathia subsessile in peduncled cymes, either terminal or in forks of branches, yellowish green, triangular-semi-orbicular; involucres shortly pedicelled, glands peltate, transversely ovate, punctuate, bracteoles very numerous, lacerate; styles short, recurved, 2-lobed, stigmas capitate; capsules of cocci velvety, compressed, obtusely 3-lobed, minutely puberulous; seeds globose, velvety, smooth, dark brown with white caruncle.