Common Name: spiny sowthistle, spiny-leaved sowthistle
Scientific Name: Sonchus asper (L.) Hill
Family Name: Asteraceae (Compositae) - Aster or Sunflower Family

Identification Notes:

life cycle - annual, reproducing by seed

stems - upright, smooth, branched sparsely above growth habit, seedling 1, seedling 2

leaves - alternate, lobes pinnate or entire above, margins spiny and wavy, white mid-vein, large round basal lobes clasping - curled downward, often dark green and glossy leaves, leaf bases, leaf rosette

flowers - heads of yellow ray (ligulate) florets; terminal clusters; form "puffball" when mature flower heads 1, flower heads 2

other - contains milky sap

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