Asteraceae

Sonchus oleraceus

Common Names: Sowthistle

Plant Form: Annual rosette herb. Size: 30 cm to 1.1 m tall. Stem: Dark green to purple. Flower stems have gland-based hairs. Leaves: Up to 35 cm long, entire to dissected, often with larger end lobe, edges are toothed, pointy ‘ears’ at base. Flowers: Dandelion-like, yellow flowerheads 5-6 mm across, with naked or glandular leaves underneath. Fruit and Seeds: 2-4 mm long, flattened, ribbed, and wrinkled on surface, with parachuting hairs up to 8 mm long. Habitat: Cultivated and disturbed areas, pastures, gardens, wasteland, pavement. Distinguishing Features: Differs from Prickly sowthistle (Sonchus asper) and native Sonchus species in its softer leaves (versus leathery leaves). Impacts: Competes with and contaminates crops, outcompetes native vegetation, host of pests and diseases.

Leaf tips

Flowers

Angular stems

Leaf based often wrap around stem

Leaves can look prickly

Habit