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

Habitat: Meadows, fields, roadsides, wastelots, and other disturbed, open areas.

Flowers: June-September

Origin: Introduced from Eurasia

Growth Duration: Biennial, Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Erect perennial from a taproot, the stem 5-10 dm. tall, unbranched below the inflorescence.

Basal leaves with sheathing stipules and long petioles, the blade oblong-lanceolate, 1-3 dm. long and up to 5 cm. wide, rounded or wedge-shaped at the base; cauline leaves reduced upward; all leaves with irregularly curled margins.

Inflorescence a large, compact panicle, the branches nearly erect, leafy-bracteate to mid-length; pedicels slender, 1.5-2 times as long as the flowers, with a swollen joint well below mid-length; flowers perfect; outer 3 perianth segments ascending, 1.5 mm. long; inner 3 segments deltoid-ovate with a truncate base, 4-5 mm. long, usually with an oblong, veiny and pitted lump at the base; styles 3.

Achene 1.5-2 mm. long, smooth.