Groundsel is an annual weed of cultivated or disturbed ground, popping up along field edges, roadside verges and on waste ground. Branched stems lead to open clusters of yellow flowers that can be seen most of the year, and turn to white, fluffy seed heads. 

Although common groundsel grows best in moist, fertile soil, it can grow in more trying environments such as along roadsides and other disturbed sites. Because common groundsel produces so many seeds and the seeds are easily spread, it can rapidly produce an unsightly infestation in landscape beds.