Wow, I have some of that growing too in my yard. I wish I knew what it was too. It almost looks like a weedy mustard, lettuce, or dock. I can't seem to find it on any ID weed website.

I think it is Erechtites Hieracifolia, American Burnweed:

http://www.ncwildflower.org/plants/e/erechtites_hieracifolia/erechtites_hieracifolia.htm

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Jay, I think you nailed it! I left one in place to see if it would bloom, thinking this would help in ID'ing it and it looks identical to the link you posted!

Going to look up additional info on how to get rid of it ;-)

I am reading that this is a native american plant. Is there any benefit to keeping it in one's yard?

Anita--Definitely would have an ecological benefit, as do all annual weeds--holding soil and all that stuff. Personally, I weed it out on my own property, but I only have an acre yard. If I had lots of land, I would let it go while I was concentrating on the real nasties.

I was thinking perhaps the fluff might be used by hummingbirds, like they use thistle down for their nests. Thought I'd try googling a bit, and found out there is a book that I am now putting on my Christmas list!

Here is a link that might be useful: Weeds in My Garden --Google book preview

Hi, thanks for the link and the info. I think this is going on my Christmas list, too.

Anita

Wow neat book find! FYI, Jay is my other account I created just so I could post a follow up about that weed. They don't allow consecutive postings. :/

Jay, you just have to change the subject line to post again.

Anita

Wow, thanks for the suggestion. I never noticed that before. lol Finding mystery weeds is fun as they are common, yet often I have no idea what it is.