Herbs, annual, 2–7(–9) dm, dioecious. Stems loosely branched distally, stellate-hairy. Leaves not clustered; stipules absent; petiole 0.3–2 cm, glands absent at apex; blade narrowly ovate-oblong to linear-lanceolate, 1–5 × 0.5–2 cm, base truncate to rounded or subcordate, margins entire, apex rounded to acute, abaxial surface pale green, densely whitish appressed stellate-hairy, adaxial surface darker green, less hairy. Inflorescences unisexual; staminate racemes or irregularly branched panicles, 2–8 cm, flowers 10–30; pistillate racemes, 1–2 cm, flowers 1–6. Pedicels: staminate 2–3 mm, pistillate 1–3 mm. Staminate flowers: sepals 5, 1–2 mm, abaxial surface densely whitish appressed stellate-hairy; petals 0; stamens 8–12. Pistillate flowers: sepals 5, equal, 1–1.5 mm, margins entire, apex incurved, abaxial surface densely stipitate-stellate-hairy; petals 0; ovary 3-locular; styles 3, 1–2 mm, multifid, terminal segments 12–32+. Capsules 5–8 × 4–5.5 mm, verrucose; columella 3-winged. Seeds 3.5–4 × 2.5–3 mm, shiny. 2n = 28.
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Dioecious, apetalous annual; stems to 1 m, sparingly branched chiefly above; lvs oblong-linear to lance-oblong, 2–8 cm, obtuse or abruptly acute, rounded to obtuse at base; staminate plants commonly with very numerous fls, the sep 5, the stamens 8–12; pistillate plants usually stouter, with fewer fls, the styles 3, each divided nearly to the base into 4 or more branches; fr 3-locular. Dry prairies; S.D. and Wyo. to Okla., Tex., and Ariz., and often adventive in the w. part of our range, especially along railroads.
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