Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Yukon Territory to California, east across much of the U.S. and Canada to northeastern North America.

Habitat: Roadsides, fields, meadows, ditches, wastelots, and other disturbed, open areas; noxious.

Flowers: July-September

Origin: Introduced from the eastern Mediterranean region

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Diffusely branched annual or biennial 1-6 dm. tall.

Leaves small, more or less pinnatifid, the lower ones early deciduous, the reduced ones or the inflorescence mostly entire.

Heads numerous, narrow; involucre 8-10 mm. high, the middle and outer bracts coarsely comb-like and tipped with a slender spine 1.5-4 mm. long; flowers few, white or rose-purple, the marginal ones not enlarged; pappus wanting; receptacle densely bristly.