Perennial herb, up to 25 cm tall, covered with glandular hairs with or without sand adhering. Internodes 4-angled, 0.5-2 cm long. Stipular spines longer than leaves, slightly recurved; upper leaves 1-foliolate, short-petiolate; lower leaves 3-foliolate with longer petioles, 1-1.5 cm; leaflets linear-lanceolate, 0.5-1 x c. 0.2 cm, lateral ones shorter. Flowers purplish, small, 8-10 mm across, pedicel about 5 mm. Sepals lanceolate, persistent. Petals obovate. Capsule 4-5 x 3-4 mm, hairy, reflexed, as long as or shorter than pedicel.