* One of most familiar of plants.

* Valuable food source for deer, elk, bighorn sheep, bear, grouse, pocket gophers.

* Important pioneer plant after fire, logging, and soil disturbance, valuable as wildlife food until climax vegetation takes over.

* Stemless, invasive weed. Seeds viable for up to 5 years.

* Leaves (especially when blanched or grown in shady areas) and roots are edible.