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

Habitat: Balds, prairies, meadows, pastures, fields, roadsides, wastelots, lawns and other disturbed open areas from the lowlands to middle elevations in the mountains.

Flowers: May-August

Origin: Introduced from Eurasia

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Dioecious, glabrous perennial from widely spreading, slender rhizomes, the 1-several stems 2-3 dm. tall, unbranched below the inflorescence.

Leaves with sheathing stipules, petiolate, numerous, highly variable, the blades 2-4 cm. long, linear to ovate, usually with spreading, basal, triangular lobes.

Inflorescence an open, leafless, reddish, narrow panicle; flowers imperfect; pedicels slender, longer than the flowers, jointed immediately under the flower; perianth about 1 mm. long, erect, only slightly larger than the fruit and closely investing it; styles 3.

Achene smooth.