Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east across Canada to the Great Lakes region and northeastern North America.

Habitat: Roadsides, wastelots, and other disturbed sites at low elevations.

Flowers: April-July

Origin: Introduced from Eurasia

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Usually glabrous, dioecious perennial from a simple or branched crown, the erect, 1-several stems 4-10 dm. tall, simple below the inflorescence.

Leaves with sheathing stipules and the lower with a slender petiole, becoming sessile above; leave blades oblong to oblong-lanceolate, up to 10 cm. long, at least the lower saggitate-based.

Inflorescence a large, leafless, reddish panicle; pedicels very slender, about the same length as the perianth, jointed at mid-length; flowers imperfect; outer 3 perianth segments 1.5 mm. long, becoming strongly reflexed; inner 3 segments 3.5 mm. long, erect, with a very small lump at the base; styles 3.

Achene 2.5 mm. long, smooth.