Only palatable to livestock or wildlife early in the spring
Naturally revegetates sites too barren, rocky or infertile for more desirable species
Tolerates low pH and acidic soils
Leaves are rough with tiny hairs
Has the ability to establish on sites where few other species will grow, such as abandoned coal mines and soils polluted with sulphur, copper and nickel
Grows in meadows, open wood, abandoned fields, dry or open slopes and alluvial flats
