Up to 4 ft. tall; branched at top; dry plants with attached seed pods remain standing into winter
Lance-shaped, 1-7 in. long, bluish-green and lack hair (glabrous) with a distinct whitish midvein; edges (margins) are wavy to smooth
Stem leaves are alternate with lobed base that clasps the stem
Yellow with 4 petals; occur in clusters that give plant a flat-topped appearance
Mature seed pods dark brown to black, oblong, flattened and suspended from a small stalk; each contains a single seed
Deep taproot
Grows well on a broad range of sites; often infests waste areas, roadsides, rangeland, pastures and crop fields; known to occur in Elko, Washoe and White Pine counties
Biennial, but sometimes annual or perennial; reproduces by seed
Historically cultivated for use as a blue dye and as a medicine
Mow in early-flower to reduce seed production; spring tillage or digging individual plants prior to seed production can be effective
Apply 2,4-D, metsulfuron, chlorsulfuron or imazapic to young, actively growing plants