Stems erect, 2.3-5.2 dm, sparsely pubescent with short hairs, these rarely with gland heads. Leaves aromatic; petiole to 1.3 mm; blade 1.7-4.5 × 0.7-2.6 cm, base cuneate, margins pinnatifid or entire (in distal leaves), apex acute to acuminate, mucronate, with sessile glands adaxially. Inflorescences terminal compound cymes, 8.5-22 cm; bracts leaflike, lanceolate, 2.1-10.3 × 0.1-0.6 mm, generally absent in fruit. Flowers: perianth segments 5, distinct nearly to base, distinct portion ovate, with large single tubercle abaxially near apex, 0.5-0.7 × 0.35-0.6 mm, apex acuminate, with sessile golden glands, covering seed at maturity; stamens 1(-2); stigmas 2. Achenes subglobose; pericarp adherent, membranaceous, papillose, becoming rugose, usually white-blotchy. Seeds subglobose, 0.6-0.9 × 0.5-0.7 mm, margins rimmed; seed coat rugose. Fruiting late summer-fall. In shade of pines and junipers or occasionally in open dry plains, ridge tops, or in waste areas in the east; 900-2800 m; Ariz., Colo., La., Maine, Mass., N.Mex., N.Y., Tex., Utah; Mexico; Central America (Guatemala). Western populations of Dysphania graveolens are native while those populations in the eastern part of the continent are considered introduced.