This looks like fasciation or cresting, a genetic mutation that causes the plant to grow these wide flattened stems. Not sure what species it is though, sorry!
I agree it is deformed and I have seen Hypochaeris radicata similar to this - this plant looks more like Chondrilla juncea to me though it is hard to tell because of the deformities.
I have looked at https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fascinating-fasciation which has hundreds of examples, including Hypochaeris radicata; this has fasciation of the flower stem so side shoots have buds. This sighting has side leaves, so I would agree it is more likely to be Chondrilla juncea (which is not in the iNaturalist fasciation project). Maybe you could add it.
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