Plant: Shrub 50-200 cm, glabrous; stem much-branched, jointed; internodes 5-20 mm, green to ± glaucous, fleshy Leaves: alternate, sessile, ± decurrent, scale-like, triangular Inflorescence: spike, 5-25 mm, cylindric, sessile; flowers spirally arranged; bracts peltate Flowers: bisexual; calyx 1-1.5 mm, 4-5-lobed, enclosing and falling with fruit; petals 0; stamens 1-2, exserted; stigmas 2, ovary generally superior, chamber 1, ovule 1, styles 1-3 Fruit: utricle, ± 1 mm, ovoid; Seed 1, red-brown Misc: Saline soils, flats, bluffs; < 1300 m.; Jun-Aug