Maireana microphylla

Erect, divaricately branched, often weakly spinescent shrub to c. 1 m high and wide; stems sparsely pubescent when young. Leaves often sparse, alternate, subterete, 2–4 mm long, glabrous or with a few short appressed hairs. Flowers bisexual, solitary in axils but crowded into leafy spikes at tips of branchlets, glabrous or margins of lobes ciliate. Fruiting perianth discoid, 1.5–3 mm diam., flat or slightly convex at apex, thin-walled, slightly open at apex exposing utricle; wing not developed in Victorian specimens (wings sometimes developed in plants from other States, then fruiting perianth to 7 mm diam.), but sometimes a very narrow marginal flange present around upper margin; radicular slit extending about halfway toward base of tube. Fruits Jul., Oct.