Schiedea lydgatei, a member of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), is a low, hairless short-lived perennial with branched stems 10 to 40 cm (4 to 16 in) long that are woody at the base. The opposite, three-veined leaves are elliptic, 2 to 4.5 cm (0.8 to 1.8 in) long, and 0.6 to 1.5 cm (0.2 to 0.6 in) wide. Bisexual flowers are arranged in loosely spreading clusters 410 to 17 cm (to 6.6 in) long. The flowers comprise usually 5 distinct but overlapping, narrowly oval, green sepals, 3 to 4.5 mm (0.1 to 0.2 in) long; 5 nectaries about 2.5 to 3 mm (0.1) long; 10 stamens; and usually 3 styles. Petals are lacking. The capsules are about 4 to 5.5 mm (0.2in) long and open when mature to reveal dark reddish-brown seeds about 0.8 mm (0.03 in) long. The opposite, thin, three-veined leaves with petioles and the smooth, open flower clusters with relatively larger, green sepals separate this species from other members of the genus.