Stems erect to spreading, simple proximally, branched distally, 1-8 dm, farinose. Leaves non-aromatic; petiole 0.4-2.5 cm; blade usually broadly triangular, sometimes ovate to elliptic, 0.7-6 cm thick, base truncate or cuneate, margins entire or with a pair of basal teeth or lobes, apex rounded to obtuse, farinose abaxially. Inflorescences glomerules in terminal and axillary interrupted spikes, 16-22 × 4-5 cm; glomerules 2-5 mm diam., maturing mixed; bracts small, margins entire. Flowers: perianth segments 5, distinct nearly to base; lobes ovate, 0.7-1 × 0.5-0.9 mm, apex obtuse, carinate, farinose to subglabrous, completely covering fruit at maturity; stamens 5; stigmas 2, 0.2-0.5 mm. Utricles ovoid; pericarp nonadherent, warty-smooth. Seeds round , 1-1.3 mm diam.; seed coat dark reddish brown to black (sometimes with light streaks), ± smooth. 2n = 18.

Fruiting late summer-fall. A wide variety of habitats from desert, cliffs, talus, and moist shaded areas under aspen, junipers, or pinyons, often in riparian habitats; 2000-2900 m; Alta., B.C., Man., Sask.; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Kans., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.Mex., N.Dak., Oreg., S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Wyo.; Mexico (Baja California, Coahuila, Tamaulipas).