Polycnemum oppositifolium Pallas, Reise Russ. Reich. 1: 484. 1771; Halimocnemis crassifolia (Pallas) C. A. Meyer; H. oppositifolia (Pallas) Eichwald; Petrosimonia crassifolia (Pallas) Bunge; Polycnemum crassifolium Pallas.

Plants reddish or yellowish green, 5-40 cm tall, appressed hairy to subglabrous. Stem erect, much branched; lower branches prostrate, usually lower 1-3 pairs opposite. Leaves opposite on lower branches, alternate on upper branches, erect, linear, semiterete or subterete, base dilated, apex acuminate. Bracts erect, shorter than leaves, upper ones shorter than subtended flower, base strongly dilated. Bractlets constricted, laterally gibbous, subequaling subtended flower. Perianth segments 2, membranous, cartilaginous in fruit, glabrous, apex acuminate. Stamens 5; anther appendage scarious, (2 or)3-toothed, lateral teeth usually larger than the central one. Stigmas equaling style in fruit. Fl. and fr. Jul-Sep.

Dunes, saline-alkaline deserts. N Xinjiang [C Asia, SW Asia (Caucasus), SE Europe].