Distribution: Widely distributed on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across North America to the Atlantic Coast.

Habitat: Roadsides, fields, meadows, lawns, balds, prairies, wastelots, and other disturbed open areas at low to middle elevations.

Flowers: April-July

Origin: Introduced from Europe

Growth Duration: Annual

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Bees, flies

Annual, the stem 0.3-3 dm. tall, reddish, the nodes swollen.

Leaves mostly basal, pinnate-pinnatifid to pinnately divided and the ultimate divisions very narrow; stipules interpetiolar, acute.

Inflorescence of umbels on long, axillary peduncles; flowers few, 10-15 mm. broad; sepals 5, distinct, bristly, with a needle-like tip; petals 5, pink, the claw with marginal hairs; filaments 10, distinct, alternating long and short, only the longer ones with anthers; styles 5, persistent, 2.5-5 cm. long, spirally twisting at maturity.

Carpels 5, sharp-pointed at the base.