HABIT	AN ERECT, BRANCHED, ANNUAL OR PERENNIAL HERB, VARYING IN COLOUR FROM GREEN TO PURPLE.
STEMS	30-60 CM TALL WITH HARD, STRAIGHT, PAIRED AXILLARY SPINES.
LEAVES	LONG-PETIOLED, OBLONG, OVATE-ELLIPTIC OR LANCEOLATE, ACUTE OR OBTUSE, BASE CUNEATE, GENERALLY 1-6 CM LONG AND 0.5-2.6 CM WIDE.
FLOWERS	MINUTE, GRAYISH-GREEN, BORNE IN DENSE AXILLARY CLUSTERS OR TERMINAL SPIKES.
FRUITS	DEHISCENT UTRICLE.
SEEDS	OBLONG, 1.0-1.4 MM LONG, 0.7-1.0 MM WIDE, BLACK, COMPRESSED, SHINING.