forgot to mention I'm in Massachusetts. Thanks!

That could be one of the 60, or so, species of Dandelion or it may be one of the False Dandelions.

Generally the leaves make a good addition to any salad.

kimmq is kimmsr

Looks kind of prickly to me. Is it? I'd say it was a thistle just going by the picture.

Ditto on the thistle.

It actually is a little bit prickly on the outside, but small very fine hairs.

Agreed, thistle. By now it.has.probably doubled, and the prickly spikes have.become stronger. Pull it quick and use thick handiman gloves. I'm allergic to this stuff and swell up and get a horrid rash for days. It's a beast, and seeds easily.

Don't pull, dig. You need to get the whole root. if you dig and wear gloves you barely need to touch it with your hands.

Ok, so you are correct! It is larger and the prickly spikes are much more apparent. I'm going to take a large shovel and dig it up with gloves on. I was hesitating because I wanted to see the flowering stage but now I'm realizing that's not a good idea.

I am pretty sure it is a musk thistle it is a biannual with roots as deep as 3-4ft

Thistle.