Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across much of North America to the Atlantic Coast.

Habitat: Fields, roadsides, wastelots, and other disturbed areas at low elevations.

Flowers: March-October

Origin: Introduced from Europe

Growth Duration: Annual

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Self-pollination

Glandular-pubescent annual, the several stems ascending to erect, up to 6 dm. long.

Leaves several in widely-spaced whorls, narrowly linear, 1.5-4 cm. long and less that 1 mm. wide, light to dark green.

Flowers on long, slender pedicels in an open, terminal inflorescence; sepals 5, distinct, ovate, 2-3.5 mm. long; petals 5, white, equaling the sepals; stamens 10; styles 5, stigmas linear; ovary 1-celled.

Capsule opening at the tip by 5 valves opposite the sepals.