Erect, variable, grey-mealy annual herb to c. 1.2 m high. Stems streaked grey and green. Leaves narrowly ovate to broadly trullate, c. 2–6 cm long, 0.5–5 cm wide, at least the lower petiolate, margins entire, toothed or irregularly lobed. Flowers bisexual and female, in small clusters, distinct or continuous within a slender panicle; tepals 5, mealy on outer surface, shortly united at base; stamens 5; pericarp thinly membranous, easily removed from seed. Seed horizontal, red-brown, 1–1.3 mm diam., obtuse around equator, remaining enclosed by perianth at maturity. Flowers mostly Jan.–May.
LoM, MuM, Wim, GleP, Brid, VVP, VRiv, RobP, MuF, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, VAlp. Naturalized all States. Native to Europe but naturalised in most countries, rare in tropics. Common urban and agricultural weed, occurring away from settlement on disturbed or imported soil. .
