Amaranthus brownii, a member of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), is an herbaceous annual with leafy upright or ascending stems, 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 ft) in length. The slightly hairy, alternate leaves are long, narrow, and more or less folded in half lengthwise. The species is monoecious, with male and female flowers being found on the same plant. The flattened, oval fruit does not split open at maturity and contains one shiny, lens-shaped, reddish black seed.