Stems stout, fleshy, decumbent and woody at base, then erect or suberect up to 15 dm. tall, sparingly branched. Lvs alt., 8-25 × 2.5-6 cm., auricled and semiamplexicaul at base; lamina obliquely obovate-oblong to lanceolate, membr., sharply and coarsely serrate, rugose, beset with minute asperities. Stipules lanceolate, deciduous. Glomerules unisexual or sts mixed. Staminate glomerules up to 15 mm. diam. or more, with broad bracts; fls pedicelled; bracteoles broad, glab.; per.-segs hyaline, acuminate. Pistillate glomerules with narrower bracts and bracteoles; fls subsessile, per. of 4 hyaline pubescent segs. Achene minute, ovoid.

2n = 24