It is an erect plant, with hollow multi-branched stems, which are ridged and covered in all stages of growth with purplish spots and blotches. The leaves are alternate very small and finely divided in fern-like lacy pattern, the lower leaves are on long stalks which clasp the stem and the upper leaves are on shorter stalks.
Flowers are small white in color and are formed on many branched umbrella-shaped clusters.
It flowers from May to August. The plants leaves has a strong, distinct parsnip odor. It is found over most of N. America and is common in waste areas, ditches and frequently in poorly drained soils of riparian areas. Distribution - BLM Prineville Dist. Presently found in all counties, and is most common within riparian areas or irrigation ditches.