Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California; scattered locations in central and eastern North America.

Habitat: Disturbed ground at low elevations.

Flowers: May-September

Origin: Introduced from Europe

Growth Duration: Biennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Glabrous, annual or biennial herbs, the erect stem up to 8 dm. tall.

Leaves numerous, alternate, overlapping, narrowly lanceolate or oblanceolate, usually entire.

Inflorescence of bracteate, elongate, spike-like racemes; pedicles short; sepals 4, ovate-lanceolate, 1.5 mm. long; petals 4, yellowish, irregular, the basal portion short and rounded; the upper petal has a fan-shaped appendage 2-3 times as long as the sepals, unequally 7-10 lobed to about mid-length, the other 3 are considerably smaller; stamens 30-50, attached to a 1-sided disk; stigma sessile, small, globose.

Capsule globose, 3-5 mm. long.