Size: 

• Grows very rapidly as a flat, dense, mat-forming plant later in the spring when the soil is warm

Leaves: 

• Small, green, and usually hairy, with 3-8 pairs of leaflets; edges are smooth

Stem: 

• Prostrate reddish-brown trailing stems up to 10 ft long that spread out from the center of the plant and branch

Flowers: 

• Small, yellow, with 5 petals; up to 1⁄2” wide

Roots: 

• Single woody, deep taproot. No roots form along the stems.

Seeds: 

• Seedpod is a cluster of five flat spiny burrs containing up to five seeds; when it dries, the spikes get hard and break apart, sticking into things. Seeds can be viable for up to 5 years.

Habitat:

• Roadsides, hot and dry sites, disturbed sites, and many other places

Control: 

• Hand pull using gloves, or hoe; bag to avoid scattering seeds. Use carpet or other sticky surfaces to help gather and remove seeds. Don’t let it set seeds!