Species Detail Forb

Flower head		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Sonchus oleraceus - common sowthistle Other Common Names: annual sowthistle Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Asteraceae
Flower head


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Leaves Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)	Plant Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)	Bracts Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Introduced Life Cycle: Annual Similar Species: Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper
General Desc: An erect fleshy annual 1 to 4 feet high. The Latin name Sonchus refers to the hollow stem, while oleraceus refers to its good taste.
Identification notes: Auricles of the leaves acute; achenes transversely wrinkled distinguish this plant from Sonchus asper.
Height: 1 to 4 feet

Habitat

Habitat Description: Imported from Europe, grows in vacant lots, roadsides, cultivated fields, and gardens. Generally considered invasive, it can often be controlled by mowing, because it does not regrow from root fragments.
Plant Communities: Disturbed Areas
Elevation: Below 4900 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: Yellow Shape: Daisy or dandelion-like in round clusters Tubular: Y Flowering Period: Jan - Dec
Description: Flowerheads are numerous and 1/4 to 3/4 inch wide. The plant will flower throughout the year. Common pollinators include bees and flies.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Round or oval Leaf Margin: Lobed Leaf Attachment: Basal and alternate Leaves Clasp: Y
Hairs: No Spines: N
Leaf Description: Tapered or wing-petioled leaves are deeply lobed on the lower portions of the plant and less so on the upper leaves. Basal leaves are stacked while the upper leaves clasp the stem. Stems are proximally branched.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Dark brown
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Fruit is flat and wrinkled on each face.
Seed Notes: Seeds are ribbed and flat with a tuft of fine hairs that allow wind-blown dissemination.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer