Rough Sow-thistle
Sonchus oleraceus
An erect herb to 140 cm. The stems are dark green, hollow and five-angled. Leaves are deeply lobed with a basal rosette. The yellow flowers are up to 6 mm in diameter.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Herbs |
| Distinctive Features | This species has soft, thin leaves and wrinkled fruit (achemes) with ribs but not hooks. |
| Biology | Annual. The hollow stems exude a white milky liquid if damaged. |
| Native Status | Introduced |
| Flowering Time | Flowers most of the year |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Sonchus |
| Species | oleraceus |
Native to the Northern Hemisphere. Occurs throughout Vic. A very common weed of gardens and disturbed areas. Will also invade native vegetation.
| Interesting Facts | |
|---|---|
| Similar Species | Similar to the introduced Prickly Sow-thistle S. asper which has leathery divided leaves, smaller seed head and sharp spines, and to Native Sow-thistle S. hydrophilus. |
| Native Status | Introduced |