Perennial, 8-40 cm. Stem branched. ± erect, ascending or procumbent glabrous below, glandular above. Leaves 8-20 x 0.1 mm, linear, glabrous, apparently whorled at the nodes. Stipules lanceolate. Flowers solitary or in lax dichasia, Pedicel glandular, usually longer than the calyx Sepals 4-5 mm, ovate-lanceolate, glandular, green, with scarious margins. somewhat 3-nerved. Petals pale pink, ovate or violaceous, as the sepals. Stamens 10. Capsule c. 8 mm, ovoid, exceeding the sepals. Seeds compressed, smooth, somewhat obovate, with scarious white wings, entire or sometimes erose at the margin.

Fl. Per.: April-May.

Type: Europe, Herb. Linn. 585/23 (LINN).

Distribution: Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan & Turkmenistan.

Common in waste ground and cultivated fields.