Description

This introduced annual plant is 1-3' long. It can be erect or sprawl across the ground like a vine. The round stems are smooth and hairless. The hairless alternate leaves are up to 5' long and 2' across. They are ovate, lanceolate-ovate, or slightly cordate. Their margins are smooth and their veins run parallel to each other. The base of each leaf is sessile or clasping, and it has a membranous sheath that wraps around the stem. This sheath is about 1' long and has green longitudinal veins, otherwise it is white or greenish white. The upper edge of the sheath is usually hairless, although it has fine upright hairs for an uncommon variety of this species.