Herbs, annual, erect to decumbent, usually much branched with age, to 30 cm. Leaves: blade lanceolate-oblong to ovate, 1--4 ´ 0.3--1 cm. Inflorescences: cymes 1--2, several-flowered, elongate; bracteoles persistent, 2--6 mm apart. Flowers bisexual, radially symmetric, 8 mm wide; sepals 2.5--4 mm; petals rose or lavender with darker veins, 4--5 mm; fertile stamens 3; filaments bearded; staminodes 3. Capsules 3--5 mm. Seeds 3--7 per locule, less than 1 mm, warty.

Flowering fall--early winter. Palm hammocks, low prairies, glades, pastures, and roadsides; introduced; Fla.; native, Asia.

Murdannia spirata was first collected in Florida in 1965.