Herbs, perennial, 5-10 dm. Stems erect to ascending or sprawling, sparsely pubescent. Leaves opposite; blade ovate, 3-6 × 2-4 cm, apex rounded to acute, pubescent. Inflorescences: panicles 1.5-4 dm; bracts and bracteoles ¹/2-¹/3 as long as tepals. Flowers pedicellate; tepals whitish to stramineous, ovate, 1-1.3 mm, apex acute, densely lanate. Utricles included in tepals, greenish, ovoid, 0.8 mm, apex acute. Seeds 0.6 mm. Flowering summer. Sheltered ravines, canyons, pastures; 1400-2000 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.; Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, Sonora).