Schiedea spergulina var. spergulina, a member of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), is a 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) tall subshrub. The opposite leaves are very narrow, usually 30 to 65 mm (1.2 to 2.6 in) long and about 1.4 mm (0.04 in) wide, one-veined, and attached directly to the stem. The flowers are unisexual, with male and female flowers on different plants. Flowers occur in compact clusters of three. The sepals usually number five and are green and purple-tinged, 2.0 to 3.3 mm (0.08 to 0.13 in) long. The capsular fruits are about 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.12 in) long and contain nearly smooth, kidney-shaped seeds.