Annual, 2-6 dm, widely dichotomously branched, the lowest branches often 3-5 together; lvs ovate or ovate-oblong, 1-4 cm, entire, blunt or apiculate, broadly rounded to truncate at base, silvery-green and rather densely stellate; infls less than 1 cm; staminate fls minute, with 3-5 sep and pet and 3-8 stamens; pistillate fls with 5 sep and no pet, becoming reflexed; ovary bilocular, one locule later abortive; styles 2, deeply bifid; seed 1; 2n=16. Dry or sterile soil; O. to Io., Neb., and Colo., s. to Fla., Tex., and n. Mex.; occasionally adventive farther n. or e.
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.