Straggling shrublet with willowy, hairless branches up to 50cm. Leaves sessile, in whorls of 2 to 4, the upper are opposite, inversely egg-shaped with tips often bent down. Flowers are few, in an open terminal cluster, yellow and twisted in bud; styles free.

Latin: quadri- = four; folium = leaf; referring to the leaves usually in whorls of four.