Herbs, decumbent, rooting at nodes. Leaves 2-ranked; blade lanceolate-elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, 2.5--5 ´ 1--2 cm (distal leaf blades wider or narrower than sheaths when sheaths opened, flattened), margins ciliolate, apex acute, glabrous. Inflorescences terminal, becoming leaf-opposed, sometimes axillary from distalmost leaf axil, 1--2 cyme pairs per stem; bracts mostly foliaceous, occasionally reduced. Flowers distinctly pedicillate; pedicels 1--1.5 cm, glandular-pilose; sepals 5--7 mm, midrib pilose with eglandular hairs; petals distinct, white, not clawed, 8--9 mm; stamens free; filaments white, densely bearded with white hairs.

Flowering spring--fall. Woods, roadsides, and open areas, sometimes as weed; introduced; Ala., Calif., Fla., La.; introduced; native, South America (Brazil--Argentina); Africa (South Africa); Australia.

This species was recorded north to North Carolina (J. K. Small 1933), but I have not seen any supporting records from Georgia or North Carolina.