Plants annual. Stems erect to ascending, branched, 3.7–7.5(–10) dm, ± glandular-pubescent, puberulent, or glabrate. Leaves malodorous, distal leaves sessile; petiole 1.4 mm; blade narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 5–7 × 1.5–3 cm, base cuneate, margins dentate with large, widely spaced teeth, apex acute, gland-dotted (rarely nearly glabrous). Inflorescences terminal and lateral spikes or panicles, 3–8 cm; glomerules globose, 2.5–3.3 mm diam.; bracts absent or leaflike, linear, to 2.2 mm, apex acute. Flowers: perianth segments 5, connate for ca. 1/2 their length, distinct portion ovate, 0.7 mm, apex obtuse, rounded abaxially, glabrous, covering fruit at maturity; stamens 5; stigmas 3. Achenes ovoid; pericarp nonadherent, smooth, glandular. Seeds horizontal or vertical, reddish brown, ovoid, 0.6–0.8 × 0.8–1 mm; seed coat smooth.
