Plants 15-40 cm tall, densely pubescent mixed with jointed, villous hairs. Stem much branched; branches obliquely spreading, usually ribbed. Leaves spreading, linear, slightly arcuate, semiterete, 2-3 cm × 1-2 mm, abaxially convex and slightly keeled, adaxially plane or slightly sulcate, base expanded, decurrent, apical spine subulate, 1.5-2.5 mm. Bracts similar to bractlets but longer; bractlets with base expanded and margin membranous at base. Perianth tube ovoid, 4-5 × 3-4 mm, densely appressed pubescent, basal surface with 4 radial ribs; segments 4, 4-6 mm, abaxially hairy, apex acute. Stamens 4; anthers ca. 2.5 mm excluding appendage; appendage subsessile, white or light yellow, ovate-oblong, slightly shorter and broader than anther. Style 1.5-2 mm; stigmas linear, apex inflated. Utricle broadly ovoid, laterally compressed, ca. 3 × 2.5 mm. Fl. and fr. Jul-Oct.

Gobi desert. N Xinjiang [Kazakhstan].