Multiple, up to 4 ft. tall and highly branched; contains white, milky sap
Lacks hair (glabrous) except lower 4-6 in. which is covered with coarse, downward-pointing, reddish-brown hairs
Rosette leaves resemble dandelion; 2-5 in. long, 0.5-2 in. wide and lack hair; edges (margins) are irregular with shallow lobes and are often purplish; rosette leaves usually wither at bolting
Stems have very few leaves; typically narrow with smooth edges; inconspicuous
Yellow; 0.75 in. wide; 7-15 linear petals with toothed tips; can be alone or in small slusters scatered along branches
Seed tipped with a white, parachute-like pappus that allows it to be spread by wind
Deep taproot and short creeping lateral roots
Grows best in well-drained soils; often infests roadsides, rangelands and waste areas; known to occur in Douglas County
Perennial; reproduce by seed and roots
Repeated hand-removal of individual plants (including roots) and frequent tillage are effective
Several biological control agents are available
Apply picloram, clopyralid or 2,4-D in the rosette to early-bolt stages