Field burrweed is a low-growing invasive winter annual species that is native to South America (Hickman 1993). Leaves are pinnate, leaflets +/- palmate and are softly short hairy and narrowly lanceolate; stems are many, often (but not always) purple-spotted or dark-coloured (Hickman 1993). Plants grow to 2 inches in height and 6 inches wide, though they are generally less than 25 cm diameter (Hickman 1993). Throughout its range, this species tends to establish in disturbed grassy areas, including hard-packed paths, where it out-competes lawn grasses. Field burrweed was first collected in British Columbia by Frank Lomer on May 18, 1996 at Ruckle Point Provincial Park, Saltspring Island, where it grew in a large patch "with many hundreds of small, more or less prostrate plants". (Lomer 1997).