A pesky Eurasian weed, spreading by long horizontal roots (often mistaken for rhizomes) and forming large colonies. Almost ubiquitous, especially in dry sandy open places (disturbed ground, roadsides, old fields, stabilized dunes); invading forests and better soils. First collected as long ago as 1837 in Monroe Co.

The tepals range from greenish yellow to red and both extremes of color may be found on plants of both sexes. The sour leaves are a pleasant nibble and may be cooked as a vegetable.