Origin:
Native to eastern North America, and found in nearly every state in the eastern half of the country and into eastern Canada.
Biology:
A perennial weed that reproduces from seeds, and which re-grows the foliage from the roots after each winter. It can be a common weed in turf, landscape, open woods, and in most disturbed sites.
Identification:
The plant lacks true stems but has numerous long stalks arising from the base and terminating with the flower heads. The leaves form a basal rosette, and the leaves are elongate, wider at the tips than at the base, and have deeply notched or lobed margins, the lobes usually ending with a pointed tip. The showy flowers are bright yellow and occur singly at the end of the leafless stalks.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Due to its ability to re-grow from its roots, physical removal becomes difficult. In turf a selective, systemic, broadleaf herbicide will be effective, and in non-turf settings a non-selective systemic herbicide can be used. Pre-emergent control will effectively stop the germination of the wind-blown seeds.
