Erect to suberect, annual, 60-150 cm tall; stem simple or branched, usually reddish especially at nodes covered with white cottony tomentum. Leaves shortly petioled, up to 3 mm long, lamina lanceolate to elliptic lanceolate, 5-15 x 0.8-2.5 cm, acute to acuminate, lanate on both surfaces but more on the under surface. Ochreae tubular, sometimes completely covering the internodes, ± lanate, margins eciliate. Inflorescence a branched raceme 2.5-5 (-6) cm long; peduncles eglandular, sometimes lanate. Ochreolae subtubular, ovate, sparsely lanate. Flowers white, c. 2.5 mm long, shortly pedicelled. Tepals 4, rarely five, red or white. Stamens 6, filaments filiform, ± equal to the style. Ovary biconcave, styles 2, stigmas 2, capitate. Nut c. 2 x 1.8-2 mm, biconcave, flat, black and shining.