Strongly aromatic, annual to short-lived perennial, variously pubescent especially on stem, and with sessile yellow glands especially on lower leaf surfaces. Stem to 80(-120) cm, ± erect, branches long, ascending. Leaves with 1 cm long petiole; blade 5-10 cm, lanceolate to elliptic, irregularly coarsely serrate, sometimes shallowly sinuate to almost entire, attenuate at base, acute to obtuse at apex; bracts entire, linear - lanceolate - narrowly obovate, uppermost very small. Inflorescence paniculate, flowers sessile in small, dense glomerules usually subtended by bracts and arranged spicately. Terminal flowers bisexual, perianth deeply 5-lobed, lobes cucullate, stamens usually 5; lateral flowers female, perianth connate, 5-toothed; teeth roundish on back; perianth herbacous, glabrous to sparsely pubescent. Stigmas usually 3-4, long, slender. Fruits falling with perianth. Pericarp free. Seeds mostly horizontal, sometimes oblique or vertical, brown, 0.6-0.8 mm in diameter, somewhat ovate to circular in outline, margin obtuse; testa almost smooth, sometimes with obscure shallow pits.