Annual, 3-8 dm, the stem appressed-hairy; stipules blunt, ±erose and usually red or purple around the summit; lfls broadly obovate, tapering to the base, broadly rounded or truncate above; heads ovoid or cylindric, 3-5 cm, on long, erect peduncles; fls 10-15 mm; cal-tube densely villous, 3 mm, the linear-subulate lobes subequal, 5-7 mm; cor crimson, straight, the standard oblanceolate, obtuse; 2n=14. Native of Europe, found in old fields, waste places, and roadsides as an escape from cult. May-Aug.
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.
