Especially common along roadsides and in fields or abandoned lots. Starting in its second year of life, each plant produces a rigid, tall branching stem, with small leaves, numerous flowers and buds coming right off the branches. Buds that have not fully opened are often whitish-brown. Bright sky-blue flowers, or rarely whitish or pinkish. These flowers are very sun and heat sensitive, and tend to only bloom in the morning or on cloudy days. They become floppy and dull in the heat, and curl in on themselves after a short period. Leaves bear a remarkable similarity to dandelions, and this plant produces only leaves in its first season. Tough, woody, slightly hairy and corrugated stems with milky sap. Extremely stubborn roots.