This annual herb has upright hollow stems with clasping grey-green lobed leaves that are pointed. The pale yellow flower is dandelion-like blooming from spring to autumn producing fluffy seed heads. It has medicinal or culinary uses otherwise it is a weed.

Hardiness zones 5 to 10

Sonchus oleraceus is naturally found from Europe to North Africa and at many places throughout the world growing on well drained, poor to fertile moist light soils in an open sunny position and is frost and drought resistant.

This common Sow Thistle tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions and is grown for culinary or medicinal uses in small gardens or containers. It naturalises easily and has become a weed, that is controlled both physically and chemically. It is fast growing establishing in 1 season. ID 1176

Sonchus(SON-chus) oleraceus(oh-ler-AH-kee-us)

Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)     
(Compositae)
Sunflower Family