Seedling has an unpleasant odor when crushed. To top Grass Key Top of page 21. Cotyledons linear and hairless. True leaves are opposite with each pair rotated around the stem 90 degrees from the previous pair. Leaves are wedge- shaped, tapering toward the base.
Leaves are thick, fleshy and glabrous.
Stems are prostrate and reddish. To top Grass Key Top of page 22. Cotyledons are thick and oval to spatulate with grooved petioles. Adult leaves are pinnatifid with a lacy appearance. Small seedling very similar to giant ragweed, but common ragweed cotyledons are much smaller with purple undersides.