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Key identifying traits
1-2 inch wide rich, yellow, dandelion-like flowers
Numerous gland tipped hairs on bracts surrounding flower and on upper
stem
Exudes a milky juice when injured
Leaves vary from deeply lobed to entire, have a clasping base and
mildly prickly margins
Most leaves on lower portion of the stem
Plants are usually 2 to 4 feet tall
New shoots from roots foster dense stands
Stems are hollow and branch near the top
Biology and ecology
- Perennial-spreads by seeds and creeping roots
- Found in gardens, fields and roadsides
- Prefers fertile areas with adequate water
- Seeds are wind borne
- Withstands some cultivation
- Palatable to both sheep and cattle
Control
Prevention – Learn to identify
plants; know your property; beware of fill dirt, hay and seed from outside
your area
Biological – None available in Washington
Cultural – Good vegetative cover lessens potential but
this weed can invade well managed sites
Mechanical – Grazing, cutting mowing, cultivation and digging can
reduce seed set but does not eliminate all plants or root spread
Chemical – Several effective at label rates; crop and site
considerations may influence choices and timing;
refer to the
PNW Weed Management Handbook for specific chemical recommendations
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