Common Groundsel

Foliage.  Leaves are alternate and generally smooth with irregular lobes.  Stems are smooth.

Flowering plants.  In Missouri, flowering usually occurs in the early spring with the appearance of bright yellow flowers.

Seed.  Seed have a hairy pappus that aids in wind dissemination.  Color is brownish-red and length is 2.5 to 3.0 mm.

Life cycle: winter annual.