A biennial growing 1-4ft tall with alternate leaves that are rough, hairy & lacking teeth or lobes. Flowers are reddish-purple & terminal. It forms a rosette the first year & sends up a flowering stalk the second. It may be found in pastures, along roadsides & in disturbed habitats. The seeds are nutlets that break apart at maturity & cling to animals & clothes. Houndstongue is toxic and can cause the liver cells to stop reproducing. Animals may survive 6 mos or longer after consummation. Sheep are most resistant to poisoning compared to horses or cattle. Horses may be especially affected when confined in a small area infested with houndstongue & lacking desirable forage. Some biological controls have been used in Canada. The best approach is prevention; keep pastures clean of houndstongue by mechanical removal or tillage. Keeping these areas clean of seeds is essential.