Distribution: Widely distributed on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains; also from the Great Lakes region to northeastern North America.

Habitat: Roadsides, parking areas, fields, wastelots, and other disturbed, open areas from low to middle elevations.

Flowers: April-October

Origin: Introduced from Europe

Growth Duration: Annual, Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Self-pollination, bees, flies

Glandular-pubescent annual, the many prostrate stems up to 3 dm. long, but under 1 mm. thick.

Leaves in bundles, linear, 5-15 mm. long and 1 mm. wide, with a needle-like tip; stipules conspicuous, several per node, 3.5-5 mm. long, acuminate.

Inflorescence a leafy, terminal cyme; sepals 5, 4-4.5 mm. long, glandular-pubescent; petals 5, pinkish, about 1 mm. shorter than the sepals; stamens 10; styles 3, 0.7 mm. long, distinct.

Capsule equaling the calyx.