Leaves are broad at the base and taper to a rounded point. Leaves may have several side veins. Margin varies but tends to be scalloped. Leaves are very flimsy. Seedhead is a tight cluster of granular sedds.
Plant is often branchy due to secondary bud burst at seed axils.
When stressed, the stalk is striped green and red vertically. Chenopodium leptophyllum - Chenopodium leptophyllum has thinner, oblong leaves. Found in all fields.