Plants 10–60+ cm. Stems erect. Leaf blades rhombic-ovate to obovate, (20–)40–120(–150+) mm, faces finely pilosulous, gland-dotted. Fruits ± compressed, ± cuneate to obovate, 4–6+ mm, not notably ribbed, terminal spines 2, divergent, 3–4 mm, often 1 ± uncinate, prickles seldom notably uncinate, ± scattered. 2n = 22.

Flowering year round, mostly Aug–Oct. Disturbed, often sandy sites; 0–100+ m; introduced; Ont.; Ala., Fla., Ga., N.J., Oreg., S.C., Va.; South America; also introduced in Mexico, West Indies, Central America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands (Hawaii).