Annual or biennial (perennial) herbs. Stems branching from the base, 10-30 cm, ascending to ± erect, glabrescent, ± glandular. Leaves 9.5-25 x 0.5 mm, linear, somewhat fleshy, glabrous to glandular-pubescent. Stipules triangular. Flowers terminal, lax dichasial cymes. Bracts similar to stipules. Pedicels c. 2 times calyx. Sepals 3-5 mm, ovate-lanceolate, with scarious margins. Petals pink whitish, ovate, obtuse, as long or shorter than the sepals. Stamens 1-5 (-8). Capsule 4-6 mm, ovoid. Seeds 0.7-0.8 mm, ovoid, brown, smooth or tuberculate.

Fl. Per.: Feb.-March.

Syntypes: Europe, Herb. Cliff. 173 (BM); Clayton 475 (BM), Herb. Bursar. XIV: 78 (UPS).

Distribution: Mediterranean Europe, S. W. & E. Asia, Egypt, Iran, Turcomania, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Common in fields and waste land.