Taprooted perennial 3-12 dm; stem and infl hispid-hirsute with spreading or recurved, subterete hairs; lvs large, the basal petiolate, with ovate or lance-ovate blade 15-30 n7-12 cm, the cauline gradually reduced but still ample, the upper commonly sessile; stem evidently winged by the conspicuous decurrent lf-bases; cal 5-7 mm, cleft to below the middle; cor ochroleucous or dull blue, 12-18 mm; filaments as wide as the anthers; connective projecting beyond the thecae; nutlets 5-6 mm, black, very smooth, shining; 2n=24-54. Native of Eurasia, escaped or adventive in waste places here and there in our range. June-Aug.
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.