It is an herbaceous annual plant growing to 90 cm (3 ft) or more. The leaves at the base of the plant are simple, 10–50 mm (3⁄8–2 in) long and shallowly lobed, while leaves higher on the stems are feathery pinnate, divided into numerous small leaflets.
It is typically found in moist forests, thickets, and wooded banks. It tolerates a wide range of soil types but prefers moist soil.