HABIT	A SHORT-LIVED ANNUAL HERB WITH AN EXTENSIVE ROOT SYSTEM AND AN ERECT SHOOT; UP TO 2 M HIGH.
STEMS	ERECT MAIN STEM, UPPER HALF OF THE MAIN STEM BECOMES HIGHLY-BRANCHED AT FLOWERING; STEMS APPEAR TO BE STRIPED DUE TO LONGITUDINAL GROOVES OR RIBS AND THEY BECOME WOODY WITH AGE.
LEAVES	PALE GREEN, DEEPLY LOBED AND COVERED WITH FINE SOFT HAIRS.
FLOWERS	CREAMY-WHITE FLOWERS OCCUR AT THE TIPS OF THE STEMS. CLUSTERS OF MALE AND FEMALE FLORETS ARE GROUPED AS FIVE-LOBED FLOWERS ON THE TERMINAL BRANCHES OF THE FLOWER STEM AND MEASURE 4–6 MM IN DIAMETER.
FRUITS	ACHENE SMALL (1–2 MM ACROSS), FLATTENED, TRIANGULAR AND DARK BROWN–BLACK WITH TWO THIN, WHITE, SPOON-SHAPED APPENDAGES.