Stems erect or ascending, 1-2 dm; branches crowded, spreading, scurfy. Leaves alternate or opposite (within populations or on same plant), sessile; blade gray-green, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 2-4 × 1-3 mm, base cuneate to subcordate, margin entire, apex shortly acuminate, scurfy on both surfaces; bracteate leaves opposite or subopposite, some long villous hairs sometimes present. Staminate flowers in axillary glomerules near branch apices and/or in terminal spikes 0.5-4 cm, 4-5-merous; anthers reddish purple. Pistillate flowers commonly solitary in axils below staminate inflorescences or intermixed. Fruiting bracteoles persistent, ovate-oblong, slightly compressed, 3-4 × 2.5-3.5(-4) mm, hardened to middle, with 1-2 irregular tuberculate appendages on each face, densely scurfy. Seeds red-brown, 1.2-1.5 mm wide.

Flowering spring-fall. Saline or alkaline depressions or vernal pools; of conservation concern; 0-100 m; Calif.