Info
Plant lax, from 3 - 30 cm long (most less than 15 cm) in tangled, bushy clumps. Axes extend through entire length of plant, but main branches absent; dichotomous branching throughout. Axils rounded, with sides symmetrically developed, with side branches at times growing almost horizontally for 1 - 5 mm before bending up or curling downward. This curling tendency produces the characteristic tangled branches. Branches coarser below (1.5 mm diam.) more slender above (0.25 mm), tapering abruptly to acute tips. Spine-like branchlets 1 mm long, few to many. Holdfasts small, inconspicuous, or lacking. Commonly yellowish, but deep red when shaded.