Stems erect, branched, 3-8 dm, glabrous to sparsely farinose; branches ascending. Leaves non-aromatic; petiole to 0.8 cm; blade linear, 1-veined, 1-3 × 0.1-0.2 cm, somewhat fleshy, base cuneate, margins entire, apex obtuse to acute, sparsely farinose abaxially, glabrous adaxially. Inflorescences glomerules in terminal and axillary panicles of interrupted spikes, 10-20 × 4-6 cm; glomerules widely spaced, maturing irregularly; bracts leaflike or reduced. Flowers: perianth segments (4-)5, connate into 0.5 mm tube; lobes broadly ovate, 0.7-0.8 × 0.7-1 mm, ¹/2 or less width of connate portion, apex rounded or slightly emarginate, rounded abaxially, farinose, spreading and slightly accrescent and not covering fruit at maturity; stamens 5; stigmas 2, 0.2 mm. Achenes ovoid; pericarp adherent, red, minutely tuberculate. Seeds round, 1.3-1.5 mm diam., margins acute; seed coat black, rugulate.

Fruiting early summer-fall. Open sandy areas especially around blowouts on sand dunes; 800-1500 m; Colo., Kans., Nebr., N.Mex., Tex.