Shrubby or perennial herb with woody base, mealy canescent, 30-100 cm tall, prostrate to erect. Leaves (5-) 8-30 x 2-25 mm, triangular deltoid, cuneate, truncate-hastate at base, acuminate at apex, sinuate-dentate; lower leaves shortly petiolate, upper mostly sessile. Flowers in terminal and axillary inflorscences, the former of mixed staminate and pistillate flower clusters, spike-like or paniculate; the axillary of pistillate flowers only, solitary or in groups. Staminate perianth membranous. Valves of solitary pistillate flowers 3-6 x 2-6 mm in fruit, campanulate with free upper parts, 3-5 (-7) -lobed, mostly without tubercles. Valves of spicate pistillate flowers with well-developed tubercles, deltoid, 3-5 lobed, each with lateral lobes 2-4-toothed, terminal lobe longer than lateral ones. Style free to base. Pericarp membranous; seeds 2 mm across, dark-brown.

Fl. Per.:June to October.

Syntypes: Hab. in desertis Arabiae Petraea, valles montis Sinai, Bové, (G,W); Schimper 434 (Isosyntype - E !); Wadi Useit, Boissier (G).

Distribution: East Saharo-Sindian and Irano-Turanian species.

A very polymorphic species, whose seasonal variation in habit needs careful study; often split into a number of taxa.