Perennials or subshrubs, 30–50(–100) cm. Stems ± decumbent to erect. Leaves: petioles 0–2 mm; blades narrowly lance-elliptic to lanceolate or spatulate, 1–3(–6+) cm × 4–10(–20) mm, margins usually entire, rarely toothed, faces glabrous, rarely gland-dotted. Heads in racemiform arrays. Peduncles 2–7+ mm. Involucres ± campanulate to urceolate, 5–7+ mm. Phyllaries: outer 6–10 distinct, ± herbaceous. Paleae linear to spatulate (distally dilated), 5–6 mm. Pistillate florets 2–5; corollas 0.3–1.5 mm. Functionally staminate florets 8–12+; corollas 4–5 mm. Cypselae 4–5 mm. 2n = 34.

Flowering Jul–Oct. Dunes, beaches, at or near tidelands; 0–10 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tex., Va.; West Indies (Bahamas, Cuba).