Densely branched perennial forming a tight, hard cushion or mound. Flowers usually in stalkless pairs, occasionally single and stalked in the leaf axils. Sepals 4. There are 2 persistent bracts at the base of each flower (4 in the small head pair) that remain even after the fruit is shed.

S America, Tasmania, New Zealand

 

The less frequently grown S. uniflorus P.A. Will. from New Zealand has solitary flowers with 2 persistent bracts visible

Source: Spencer, R. (1997). Caryophyllaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.