HABIT	AN ANNUAL OR PERENNIAL, TUFTED, ERECT HERB.
STEMS	SLENDER, TRIQUETROUS, DARK GREEN, INCRASSATE AT BASE.
LEAVES	FLAT OR FOLDED, FLACCID, SCABRID; SHEATHS LIGHT YELLOW.
FLOWERS	INFLORESCENCE CAPITATE, OFTEN 3 (RARELY 1-5) LOBED SPIKES; CENTRAL ONE SUB-GLOBOSE, OR OBLONG, LATERAL ONES GLOBOSE.
FRUITS	NUTS BICONVEX, OBLONG, LATERALLY COMPRESSED, APICULATE.