The species of Heterostachys grow as subshrubs or low shrubs.

The alternate leaves are fleshy, glabrous, scale-like, stem-clasping, with very short free blades (1–2 mm).

The four-lobed perianth consists of four half-connate unequal tepals.

It contains a semi-annular embryo and copious perisperm (feeding tissue).

[1][2] The plants are halophytes and grow in coastal lagoons and salty inland habitats.