I live in south central Wisconsin and have this plant growing on/along trails on my property. The soil is sandy and the plant is growing in shade as well as sun. It has come up on newly seeded trails as well as off the trails. It looks like it would be spiny, but it is not. It has a clump root system and is easy to pull out. It mostly grows in patches, but I do find single plants as well.

I have identified my mystery plant as Pilewort

I have a similar plant growing here, but, alas, I don't know what it is. I hope someone comes up with a solution.

I really don't know for certain but it kind of reminds me of Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium) which is found in Wisconsin.

http://www4.uwsp.edu/biology/c...

http://jimbotany.com/Monastery...

Have you ever seen flowers? Other possibilities are:
Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)
Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)

I don't think we have it yet...

plantladylin said:Have you ever seen flowers? Other possibilities are:
Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)
Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)

Thanks for the suggestions plantlady, but it is not jimsonweed, pigweed or lambsquarters.

Definitely not Jimson Weed. I'm surrounded by those.

Looks closer to wild lettuce to me.

I think ts a kind of asteraceae weed.
Erechtites hieraciifolius maybe ?

XiaoLong may be on the right track; check out American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius)
More photos for comparison here: https://www.uwgb.edu/biodivers...

I have finally identified my mystery plant, after several hours of internet searches I finally found a picture. It is?? Pilewort - Erechtites hieracifolia. It does look similar to wild lettuce, but the leaves have pointed tips and more edges. I am 100% sure this is what I have growing. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

plantladylin said:XiaoLong may be on the right track; check out American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius)
More photos for comparison here: https://www.uwgb.edu/biodivers...

That's It!!!!!