Herbs, annual, with taproot. Stems prostrate, loosely mat-forming, 5–40 cm, glabrous, sometimes slightly glaucous. Leaves opposite; stipules usually distinct, linear-subulate, usually irregularly fringed or lobed, rarely laciniate, 0.4–2 mm, glabrous; petiole 0.2–2 mm, glabrous; blade narrowly oblong to oblong-obovate or oblong-ovate, 3–15 × 2–7 mm, base asymmetric, one side angled and other rounded to shallowly cordate, margins minutely sparsely serrulate, especially near apex and on longer side, apex rounded to obtuse, abaxial surface usually pale grayish green, adaxial surface sometimes reddish tinged or with reddish blotch, both surfaces glabrous; palmately veined at base, pinnate distally. Cyathia solitary or in small, cymose clusters at distal nodes; peduncle 0.5–1.6 mm. Involucre obconic, 0.6–0.9 × 0.3–0.6 mm, glabrous; glands 4, red to purple, narrowly oblong-elliptic, 0.1–0.2 × 0.1–0.5 mm; appendages white or pinkish tinged, semilunate and fringing distal margin of gland, 0.1–0.3 × 0.1–0.3 mm, distal margin usually irregularly crenulate or lobed. Staminate flowers 1–5. Pistillate flowers: ovary glabrous; styles 0.1–0.3 mm, 2-fid 1/2 length. Capsules broadly ovoid, 1.3–1.9 × 1.6–2 mm, glabrous; columella 1.3–1.5 mm. Seeds with thin white coat that readily falls off, surface below tan brown, oblong-ovoid, sharply angular in cross section, 1–1.4 × 0.6–0.9 mm, with 3–4(–6) prominent transverse ridges that usually interrupt abaxial keel. 2n = 22.
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Glabrous annual; stems mostly prostrate, freely branched, 1–3 dm, often forming mats; lvs narrowly to broadly oblong or ovate, 4–15 mm, strongly inequilateral, minutely serrulate, especially on the rounded summit, varying to entire; appendages short but evident; stamens 1–5 (typically 4) per involucre; fr depressed-ovoid, sharply 3-angled, 1.5–2 mm; seeds 1–1.3 mm, sharply 4-angled, marked with several conspicuous transverse ridges. Dry sandy soil; Que. and N.B. to B.C., s. to N.Y., Ind., Mo., and Ariz. June–Oct. (Chamaesyce g.)