Lapsana communis is an annual herb, 15-150 cm tall, sap milky (sometimes very slightly), often hairy.
Leaves alternate, lower leaves stalked, sometimes lobed at base, blade 2.5-10 cm long, 2-7 cm wide, narrowed and smaller upwards, leaves of inflorescence often narrowly lance-shaped.
Flowers yellow, 8-15 all rays, dandelion-like, basal bracts of head smooth, subequal, keeled, bracteate base 0.5-0.8 cm tall; inflorescence widely branched, blooms June-Aug.
Fruit dry achenes 0.3-0.5 cm long, curved, unadorned; fruits to Oct.(Hough 1983).
Wetland status: UPL.
Frequency in NYC: Infrequent.
Origin: Eurasia.
Habitat: Open areas, roadsides, edges, meadows.