Growth Habit:  Biennial or perennial up to 3 ft. tall. Spreads by seed. Rosette formed 1st year, flowering stem elongates 2nd year.

Leaves:  Basal rosette leaves are long with soft fine hairs. Stem leaves alternate, have short basal lobes clasping the stem and without hair.

Stems:  Woody, upper portion is branched.

Flowers:  Small, yellow, 4 petals 1/8-inch across.

Seeds:  Plant has many, slightly pear-shaped, winged, black seed ponds 1/2" long that hang like ornaments. Each pod contains one seed.

Other:  Formerly cultivated in Europe as a source of blue dye.

Return to Weed List