Profusely branched annual, 10-17 cm. Stems slender, branching base, spreading, glabrous. Leaves 5-15 x 0.5 mm, linear-subulate, acute, glabrous. Inflorescence a spreading panicle of flowers in dichasial cymes. Bracts similar to leaves but smaller. Pedicels filiform, longer than the calyx. Calyx ± cylindrical Sepal 3-3.2 mm, lanceolate, glandular, 3-nerved with broad scarious margins. Petals white, elliptical, ½ to ¼ the length of the calyx. Capsule oblong, 1¼ as long the calyx. Seeds minute, finely tuberculate.

Type: Described from Dauphine, France.

Distribution: France, W. Syria, Palestine, Arabia, S. Russia, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan (Swat, Chitral).

Differs from subsp. turcica McNeill in the narrower sepals, and cylindrical (not narrowly avoid) capsule.