Pennsylvania Smartweed, a native annual plant is 1-4' tall, branching occasionally. It is more or less erect, often bending toward the light in partially shaded locations. The stems are round, smooth, light green to slightly red, and have a tendency to zigzag between the short narrow petioles of the leaves. The green to dark green leaves are up to 7" long and 3" across. They are lanceolate to broadly lanceolate, with smooth margins, and devoid of hairs on the lower and upper surfaces (for this variety). Unlike some introduced smartweeds, this plant has no darker markings on the upper surface of the leaves. At the base of the petioles are sheaths that wrap around the stem, which are devoid of bristles. Some of the upper stems terminate in a short spike-like inflorescence about 2-3" long and narrowly cylindrical in appearance. It is normally more or less erect (unless the plant is leaning toward the light), and densely crowded all around with small buds and flowers about 1/8" across. These little flowers have 5 tepals that are white, light pink, or bright pink, and don't open widely even when they are in full bloom. There is no noticeable floral scent. The long peduncle of each inflorescence has small white hairs. The seeds are larger than those of most other smartweeds and spheroid in shape.