Plants 3-15(-35) cm. Stems profusely branched (erect or spreading and matlike); glau-cous, scabrous. Leaves: stipules finely divided into crinkled threads, 2 mm; petiole 0.1-0.3 cm; leaflet blade linear-obovate, 0.5-1.5 × 0.1-0.3 cm, fleshy, margins entire, apex obtuse to acute, mucronate, surfaces scabrous. Inflorescences solitary flowers in axils of closely spaced leaves throughout; bracts unifoliate, 8-10 mm. Pedicels reflexed in fruit, 1-2 mm. Flowers: sepals green, ovate, 0.8-1.2 × 0.3-0.7 mm, glabrous; petals pale yellow, oblong, 1.5-2 × 0.5-1 mm, glabrous; stamens yellow, 1.5-2.2 mm; anthers 0.3-0.5 mm; gynophore strongly reflexed, 0.5-3 mm in fruit; ovary globose, 1-1.5 mm; style 2-3(-5) mm. Capsules globose or deltoid, 2-3 × 2-3.2 mm, glabrous, (valves triangular). Seeds 1-4, yellowish, globose, 1.3-1.7 mm, smooth. Flowering spring-fall. Alkaline marshes, wet saline soils around thermal springs; 400-1400 m; Calif., Nev.