Paronychia brasiliana DC.

Taprooted perennial. Stems much-branched, prostrate, ascending at apex, 5–15–(30) cm long; internodes glabrous, not hidden by lvs. Lvs opposite or appearing whorled, narrow-elliptic to oblanceolate, with tapering to sessile base, acute, 4–7–(10) × 0.5–2 mm; mucro (0.3)–0.5–1 mm long; hairs short, directed forward. Stipules ovate to lanceolate, acuminate, silvery, scarious, ciliolate or glabrous, 2–3.5 × 0.5–1.5 mm. Bracts similar to stipules. Fls ± sessile; sepals equal, persistent, usually glabrous, rarely with a few hairs at base only, oblong, 1-veined, hooded and awned, 1–1.5 × 0.8–1 mm; margin membranous; awn erecto-patent, c. 1/2 length of sepal. Petals usually 0, rarely vestigial. Stamens < sepals. Style short, with 2–(3) divergent arms. Fr. obovoid to subglobose, papillate, about 1 mm long. Seeds subglobose, yellowish brown, smooth, 0.8 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]