This native perennial plant belongs to the same nettle family as the three local species of nettles that have stinging hairs, but is placed in a different genus. The plant is much like the stinging and wood nettles with oval to heart-shaped toothed leaves. It also has green flower clusters in the leaf axils, but these are often more compact than the flowers of the other species. Like the other nettles, it is wind-pollinated. Individual flowers are only about 1/16 inch in diameter. There are separate male and female flowers.

The most distinguishing characteristics are the 3 distinct main veins in the leaves and the total lack of stinging hairs on the plant. It grows 16-40 inches high in shady places with moist ground. It can be found throughout eastern and central United States and in the Southwest.  It normally blooms from July to October. It is also called bog-hemp or false nettle. A similar non-stinging species is clearweed (Pilea pumila), but this plant has a translucent stem and tends to be smaller.