Colonial by creeping roots; stems to 1 m, the younger parts and the lower side of the lfls dotted with minute glands; lfls 11–19, oblong or lanceolate, those of the main axis 2.5–5 cm, the others smaller and narrower; racemes erect, dense, shorter than the subtending lvs; fls pale yellow, 12–15 mm; fr 1.5 cm, brown, densely beset with hooked prickles; 2n=16. Moist prairies; Minn. to Alta. and Wash., s. to Ark., Tex., and Calif. and intr. in disturbed sites farther east. May, June. Our native plant, var. lepidota, has minutely pubescent stems; the far-western var. glutinosa (Nutt.) S. Watson, with the stem stipitate-glandular, is adventive in Va.
Usually grows in patches, most often in moist habitats such as lakeshores, riverbanks, depressions, along irrigation canals, discharge areas and waste areas, also in cultivated ground, roadsides, prairies; at elevations up to 2,100 metres
Can be grown by divisions or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.
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