Origin:
A native plant in North America, and found in the United States from Pennsylvania south to Florida, and west to Texas. It also occurs in California.
Biology:
This is a winter to spring annual or sometimes a biennial that reproduces from seeds. It is common is sandy soils of virtually any disturbed habitat, including turf and landscape, roadsides, and fields.
Identification:
Growth begins from a basal rosette of leaves that may die back as the plant matures. These basal leaves tend to be larger than the stem leaves, but all leaves have narrow bases and are wider at the tips. Stems and both surfaces of the leaves are densely covered with short, soft, light colored hairs. The flowers occur at the ends of the stems as well as within the leaf axils at the upper stem. These are not showy, but are a pink to purple color.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Physical removal of single plants is effective but relies on removal of all the stems. When found in turf most members of the sunflower family can be effectively controlled with a selective broadleaf herbicide. Prevention of seed germination can be accomplished with a pre-emergent herbicide.
