A perennial with slender roots. Stem woody, papillose to velutinous. Leaves spathulate, up to 8 cm long, 5-9 mm broad. Flowers axillary solitary, sessile, c. 2.5 mm long. Sepals 5, ovate, c. 2 mm long, velutinous, persistent. Stamens usually 20, poly-adelphous, the groups alternating with the sepals; filaments c. 1 mm long. Styles 5, free, c. 1 mm long, papillose, linear, persistent. Capsule c. 4.5 mm broad, 5 angled, papillose. Seeds c. 0.9 mm long, ribbed, black, shiny.
Fl. Per.: Sept.-Nov.
Type: Canary Islands (lecto-,LINN.).
Distribution: N. Africa, Arabia, Canary Islands, W. & E. Mediterranean, S. Iran, Afghanistan, and W. Pakistan.
