Origin:
Native to the east coast of North America, and now found throughout much of the U.S.
Biology:
A winter or summer annual, reproducing from seeds that germinate in late summer or early fall. May sometimes be a biennial that grows only the basal rosette of leaves the first year. A problem weed in almost any situation, including crops, landscape, roadsides and waste areas. It is tolerant of dry, compacted soils.
Identification:
Mature plants grow to almost 2 feet tall, with a primary stem and multiple branching off of it. The stems terminate with the small white flowers, and as the seed capsules mature they remain on the stems to give it a bottle-brush appearance. Leaves are narrow and elongate, up to 2 inches long. The lower leaves tend to fall from the plant as it matures.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Annuals that may persist through the winter. Seed germination is early fall.
