The flowers are in dense terminal spikes and grow on a woolly receptacle; perianth segments are papery, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long, shining, and whitish to pink in colour.

[citation needed] Originally from the Americas where it is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay, it has become naturalised in Asia in Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Japan, New Caledonia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand, Christmas Island and Australia, and Hawaii in the Pacific region, while in the Africa region it is found in Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Réunion, Rwanda, Socotra, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Plants from the Amaranthaceae are used in folk medicine for their nutritional qualities and for the treatment of various disorders such as gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, skin infections, as well as some infectious diseases, and as an abortifacient.

Analysis has also revealed hydrocarbons, alcohols, steroids, terpenoids, ecdysteroids, flavonoids, saponins, amino acids, butacyanins, reducing sugar and ketoses.

[7] Eating the plant affects the nervous system of horses, leading to lack of co-ordination, dragging of hooves and falling.