Small erect plant, 1 to 4 feet tall. Stems hairy. Leaves lance-shaped, short-stalked, not opposite each other. Flowers very small, white, with 5 round petals. Fruits very small prickly burs that stick to clothing. Flowers and fruits all on one side of the stalk. Blooms in summer.

Native plant of dry woods. Occasional in Wildwood, in dry areas with some shade.

The tiny, but elegant white flowers, combined with pricly burs make it an easy plant to identify, but it is also easy to overlook.