Description:

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

Origin: Eurasia and North Africa

Life Span: Perennial

Reproduction: by seeds and a creeping root system that grows both horizontally and vertically.

Leaves:

• highly variable, from dark to light green in color
• usually smooth and somewhat waxy on the top surface and may be slightly hairy underneath
• edges are wavy to coarsely lobed with spines

Stems:

• hollow
• smooth, without any spines or leafy "wings"

Flowers:

• male and female flowers grow on different plants
• usually pink or purple, rarely white
• female flowers are more elongated than male flowers
• bracts on base of flower have very short spines

Root:

• fleshy, creeping rhizome
• extensive root system can penetrate up to 27 feet below soil surface
• new plants may grow from rhizome when root is cut or plowed
• several rosettes may be attached along the same root