Distribution: Escaped from cultivation in many western and mid-western states.

Habitat: Disturbed sites.

Flowers: May - August

Origin: Introduced from the Mediterranean region, usually a waif

Growth Duration: Annual

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Bees, flies, beetles, wasps

Glabrous annuals 30-100 cm. tall, the stems straw-colored, erect, branched.

Leaves alternate, all cauline, dark green, the blades lanceolate to elliptic or ovate, 2-8.5 cm. long, veiny, shiny, the margins dentate with minutely spine-tipped teeth.

Involucres ovoid, 20-40 mm. in diameter; outer involucral bracts spreading to reflexed, 1.5-2 times longer than the inner, with terminal appendages minutely spine-toothed; corollas all tubular, yellow to orange-red, 20-30 mm. long, the throats abruptly expanded; anthers yellow to red; pappus of scales 1-4 mm. long or wanting.

Achenes white, 7-9 mm. long, slightly roughened.