The natural history of the northwoods . Leaves alternate, surrounding central stem with the larger leaves occuring on the lower stem. Flowers yellow, borne on numerous small flower heads.
Fruit is an achene.
Widespread across North America, occurring in almost every state and throughout Canada. Abandoned farmlands, infrequently grazed pastures, waste areas, and tallgrass prairies, also along roadsides and fence lines, in dry open fields, and in open woods or damp meadows that dry out every year. Tolerates wide range of soil fertility and texture conditions, but typically found in fairly moist soils. Not found on waterlogged sites and only rarely on very dry sites. Fairly shade intolerant although it occurs in sparsely wooded areas and is sometimes dominant or codominant in disturbed forest understories.