This is an annual herb growing erect to a maximum height near one meter.

The leaves are 1 to 7 centimeters in length, often scaly, green to gray-green in color, and oval to triangular in shape.

The leaves are mostly located lower on the erect plant; those further up the stem are reduced in size.

The first publication of this taxon was in 1904 by Aven Nelson as Atriplex joaquinana A.Nelson (in: Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 17(12): 99).

[4] Extriplex joaquinana belongs to the tribe Atripliceae in the subfamily Chenopodioideae of Amaranthaceae.